Horse of the Year and twice defending champion Legal Eagle made it three wins in a row in South Africa's finest mile event when he captured the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate at sunny Kenilworth today.

The Sean Tarry trained star put the issues around him to bed and captured a first Grade 1 for new owners Braam Van Huyssteen, Messrs William Henderson and F H McGrath. The former owner of the footwear giant Tekkie Town and the Australian pair of owners must have been thrilled to bits with the win as the top class Marcus ridden gelding ran done old nemesis Captain America in a fine duel down the straight.

Captain America soon found the lead in the contest as he placed his usual front running tactics to use in order to upset the race favourite. Legal Eagle held a forward position but always 3 to 4 lengths behind the Brett Crawford runner. As they came into the straight, the classy Legal Eagle wore down the tiring but game Captain American, one stride at a time in a perfectly timed swoop as he nosed ahead close home for victory. The field was coming at the Crawford star by the 200m pole and the fast finishing Copper Force was super impressive as he ran down the inside running rail from a stone last initial position to finish an excellent second.

Captain America stayed on for a fine third only beaten 0.5 of a length with stable mate Sail South in fourth. Marinaresco, who put in a fine piece of work in training this week, was a great fifth and must rank as a big runner in the upcoming Sun Met.

Victory spoils to the Eagle. He is South Africa's Superstar.