The last time Princess Calla ran in a Gr 1 over 1800m she beat the boys in the HKJC World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Turf Talk
The connections of the Sean Tarry-trained Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla have opted to take in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day and she has been reported by her regular pilot Richard Fourie to be in fine fettle.
He said, “She is fantastic, she is in a good place and is spot on.”
Richard is not sure yet who he will be riding in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
The most likely option, it seemed, was the Sean Tarry-trained Cousin Casey, considering Tarry and Fourie combined to win five Gr 1s last season as well as the country’s most prestigious staying race, the World Pool Gold Cup.
However, it has been confirmed Cousin Casey will not be allowed to travel down to Cape Town from Randjesfontein due to an AHS outbreak within a 30km radius of the training centre, which is normal for this time of the year.
It seems his likely mount will then be the Justin Snaith-trained 2021 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative.
Richard views it as a very strong renewal of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
However, he believes the three-year-olds will battle to match the older horses.
He said, “This is a super field of the best quality horses South Africa has to offer and will be no walk in the park (for any horse). The King’s Plate, personally for me, is the biggest race in South Africa.”
He said about the three-year-olds, “They are running for fourth or fifth… although if one of them wins I am going to be slated!”
