David Thiselton

 

The sectional timing of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate appears to show that the horse who could be deemed to be the true pacemaker, Sail The Seas, went at a pace that allowed the best horses in the race to run to their best. The best were also fitter than they had been in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes and that also helped.

 

The reason Sail The Seas can be deemed to be the true pacemaker is that in both the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes and the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate the bulk of the field were stacked up behind him and there was a gap ahead of him to the leaders.

 

Sail The Seas’ first six 200m sectional times in the Green Point Stakes were 14.65 seconds, 11.76 seconds, 12.48 seconds, 12.35, 12.14 and 11.58.

 

In the King’s Plate his first six times were faster in every instance and were 14.27, 11.53, 12.08, 11.77, 11.61 and 11.32.

 

He paid the price for going faster, because in the Green Point his last two sectionals were 11.53 and 12.42 whereas in the King’s Plate they were 11.90 and 12.62.

 

Every single one of the The Real Prince’s sectional times were faster in the King’s Plate than it was in the Green Point, meaning trainer Dean Kannemeyer had him tuned to perfection and he was able to run a highly efficient race and win it.

 

His most notable sectional time was his quickest one between the 600m and 400m, a time of  11.15 seconds, which shows his exceptional turn of foot.

 

He had many lengths to make up at that time and Craig Zackey made the correct decision to start chasing.

 

The Real Prince managed to run every single section in the King’s Plate at a faster than average time (except for the first sectional when eased back on to the rail), showing just what an efficient race Craig Zackey rode and what a good horse the Gimmethegreenlight gelding is.

 

A sectional that reads 90% is exceptionally fast as it is 90% of the average time for that section.

 

A sectional that reads 100% is identical to the average time and if it is above 100 it is slower than average.

 

The Real Princes’ sectional times in the Green Point and his percentages were 15.07 (120), 11.99 (95), 12.67 (101), 12.22 (97), 11.90 (94), 11.32 (90), 11.47 (91) and 12.55 (100).

 

His sectionals in the King’s Plate were 14.95 (119), 11.39 (90), 12.07 (96), 12.00 (95), 11.66 (93), 11.15 (89), 11.37 (90) and 12.43 (99).

 

It is interesting to note that Dave The King’s time for the Green Point, in which he more or less shared the lead and just held on from a blanket of fast-finishing horses, was actually slower than his time in the King’s Plate, where he finished a 9,50 length 13th.

 

He went fast in both races, so was going to pay the price in the straight.

 

However, in the King’s Plate he went significantly faster than he had in the Green Point, so his sectionals in the entire straight were going to suffer.

 

However, the key is that Sail The Seas had maintained more or less the same gap to him than he had in the Green Point, so had also gone faster, and this meant the best horses could come into the straight with some momentum and their superior engines were going to have an impact as opposed to sprinting after a horse who still had some reserves.

 

To highlight Dave The King’s race when winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge his percentages were 118. 93, 95, 98, 99, 96, 92, 98.

 

His sectionals in the Green Point were 91, 96, 98, 94, 92, 96, 104.

 

However, his sectionals in the King’s Plate were 90. 91, 90, 93, 94, 101, 111.

 

It is clear jockey Ryan Munger went too fast and Dave The King was a sitting duck for top class horses.

 

The biggest disappointment of the race, Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan van Goyen, sat in joint second behind Dave The King, a few lengths behind, but found little in the straight.

 

His Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas percentages were 111, 89, 98, 99, 101, 92, 92, 99.

 

His King’s Plate percentages were 114, 90, 94, 93, 91, 91, 99, 110.

 

It is clear he also went at fractions that were going to be difficult to maintain and he finished a 9,10 length 12th .

 

The question though is why was the lowest rated horse in the race, the 113-rated Legal Counsel, able to produce better sectionals in the straight than the twice Gr 1 winner Jan Van Goyen despite having been together with him in the running.

 

The country’s most travelled trainer Corne Spies once observed, “Going from the altitude to the sea is advantageous due to the increased oxygen content of the air. However, if the horses stay at the coast after their runs they tend to go flat. It would take six weeks to two months to acclimatise and they would then begin to thrive.”

 

So going too fast and being flat could explain Jan Van Goyen’s disappointing run and the latter eventuality has actually been seen in Jo’Burg horses before with all of Hawwaam, Malmoos, Tail Of The Comet, Queen Supreme, Buy And Sell etc disappointing in their second Cape Town starts. When raiding Durban, horses are able to return to the Highveld before their next Durban start, but obviously can’t do the same in Cape Town.

 

Questioning was a short-head runner up in the King’s Plate and his sectional times and percentages were 14.71 (117), 11.78 (94), 12.23 (97), 11.83 (94), 11.67 (93), 11.18 (89), 11.31 (90), 12.30 (98).

 

Vaughan Marshall had him in magnificent shape, especially considering his status of never having previously quite produced his best over further than 1400m. He was a neck ahead of The Real Prince in the Green Point, but was 2kg worse off in the King’s Plate.

 

The fastest final sectional was third-placed See It Again’s 12.08 (96) with seventh-placed Gladatorian second fastest in 12.18 seconds.

 

Alistair Cohen

Tenpenny has steadily climbed the ranks with honest performances that have taken him from looking quite average to a good, honest campaigner that trainer Patrick Kruyer is considering a tilt in KwaZulu-Natal with during Champions Season. He tries 1800m for the first time today at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and if he reaches the trip, he has every reason to win race 7.

The steady improvement is admirable but his formlines and the direction horses around him have headed add to expectations. The horse who beat him last time, Major Master showed a huge effort in the Grade 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over this distance a month ago. He ran second pushing Regulation all the way to the line. That points to the capability of Tenpenny.

He loved his stint up the road at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in spring with a good win and a good place and that seems to have opened up his confidence.

He is KZN-bred, and there is a thought that he will have a tilt at the KZN Breeders’ Race mere days before the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Regular rider Juan-Paul van der Merwe is carded to take the ride. He has partnered him in all but one of his 11 career starts. Interestingly, he has only missed the money twice in his career.

Landoftherisingsun has had an interesting career and one cannot help but think that trainer Justin Snaith is plotting the rest of the season carefully. He won the Listed Woolavington over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in eye-catching fashion but he was rested and then came back flat last time. He has always given the impression that he has something in hand from the handicapper but he could ultimately kick on over further. The heavy mass of 60kg will not be easy against this opposition but there could be any amount of potential to unlock. Andrew Fortune takes the ride.

Fortune might have had the option to ride Pinot Grigio who arrives in good form and he is not without a chance. He rides plenty of horses for trainer Ricky Maingard and he has done some good business on this gelding. His last start came behind Regulation over this course and distance. That was where Regulation started his push through the divisions. The mercurial hands of Grant van Niekerk is carded to take the ride.

Vercicat is tipped to win race 1 over 1000m in a field packed with horses who have scope to improve after some fair introductions or first timers. Guesswork is at play until the market opens. Vercicat finished fourth, 5,15 lengths behind Catwalk King on debut over this course and distance. Drawn in gate No 1 is a help as is Nichola Yuen’s 1,5kg claim.

Trailfinder put up a sparkling debut last month when he found his feet right at the end of the race to finished second, close-up behind Digby at this course over 1000m. Digby won again earlier this month with 65kg on his back. Trailfinder is back over the same trip in race 2 and Gavin Lerena gets a leg up. He should improve enough to win.

Seven No Trump gets the services of Fortune for Maingard in race 3 over 1200m. She is overdue her maiden victory and this looks the best opportunity to have her day. Having stacked up some honest performances since clearly educating herself in his first two starts, she has to be ready. Her last start came over 1400m when she was beaten by Kubu. The drop in trip looks like the secret. If one looks past her, anything could win.

There are a few lively chances in race 4 over 1400m. Gallic King, Sugar Daddy, I Am Sam, Joueur De Flute and Prairie Dawn all have winning claims. They are tipped in that order. Gallic King ran third in his penultimate start behind Foudre, who won subsequently. He was narrowly touched off by Rockandrollin in his last start. Those runs were over 1200m and the extended trip could be what he is seeking.

Homing Pigeon has been costly to follow but another chance is taken on her when she runs in race 5 over 1800m. She has hit the boards in her last three runs and she is finishing closer with every start. Craig Zackey gets aboard for Justin Snaith. There is some evident form in the race so punters should keep safe of Up In Flames and Woman In Gold.

Yamazaki must have a good chance to win race 6 over 1800m, much like Tenpenny, if he sees out this trip. He has found some high quality three-year-olds too good in his last three starts over slightly shorter. Viva’s Liberte and Beware clearly have the tools to become top sorts. There is no sign of that untapped quality here despite many rivals holding form. He had a rough draw of No 11 last time behind Mente Et Manu when he ran a length behind in third. Van Der Merwe has elected to ride this over Arbitration who seemingly does not have his legs tied up either.

Worldly finished off his race in superb fashion when he was last seen last month. He flashed up to finish behind subsequent winner Demanding Dave who runs a few events later against a field about two divisions stronger. A few more strides he might have run down Demanding Dave over 1000m. He reappears in race 8 over 1200m. The extra distance should suit his running style. Yuen is carded to take the ride.

A few are needed to in race 9 over 1000m. October Fest must have a good chance being 1kg better off with Dame Of Trix who she reopposes. Winning does not come easily for October Fest which is a concern but she seems to be in the right place at the right time. Most of her family improved as their careers went on and that looks possible with her.

So much potential lines up in race 10 over 1000m. Golden Destiny could be the horse to side with on the back of a very useful recent performance at this course over 1200m. He hit the line with plenty in hand. This is his third run after a break and he could lead them home.

Please note that the racing meeting scheduled for Saturday, 17/01/26 at the Turffontein Standside Track has been moved to the Vaal Main Track.

This decision follows significant rainfall over the past few months, combined with the volume of racing on the Turffontein Standside Track, which has resulted in noticeable wear and tear.

While the track continues to recover daily, a short mini-break will allow it to fully address these issues and ensure optimal racing conditions ahead of the main season.

 

The following distance changes will apply for this meeting:

Progress Plate will now be run over 1700m

MR 84 Handicap will now be run over 1700m

All events originally scheduled over 1160m will now be run over 1200m

The track will be reassessed next week, and a further update will be communicated accordingly.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 12 January 2026.

Andrew Harrison

Some horses are similar to wayward children. Just when you think that you have talked some sense into them and they have mended their ways, they give you the middle finger.

Royal Victory has no end of talent with two Gr1 wins to his name and Nathan Kotzen’s efforts to get him back on an even keel after a plethora of wayward antics appeared to have delivered the required results. However, Royal Victory reverted to old ways by refusing to jump in the Michael Roberts Handicap that headlined the 10 race card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

But take nothing away from the winner, Down By The River. Kom Naidoo would dearly love to move back to home base at Ashburton but he had Down By The River in good form and light-weight Cole Dicken, who is currently riding confidently, made no mistakes.

Capsaicin set off in the lead under Rachel Venniker but was a spent force early in the straight. Dicken avoided the ‘sheep’ crowding the inside rail and headed for home strait down the middle. Down By The River was clear a long way out and never challenged with Queue Wing running on best of all but still two lengths back.