See It Again To Stamp His Class

See It Again beat Charles Dickens comfortably when winning the Gr 2 WSB Green Point Stakes over the L’Ormarin’s King’s Plate course and distance last time out. Can he repeat the feat in tomorrow’s big one at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth? (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Charles Dickens’ regular pilot, Aldo Domeyer, was born in 1988, the very same year in which Piere Strydom rode the first of his six King’s Plate winners aboard Yardmaster for the late David Makins and Joe Gore. Now 35 years later the eyes of the racing public will be on both as Charles Dickens goes head-to-head with Strydom’s mount See It Again, as each seek to be crowned King of Kenilworth.

There is much at stake! Both Charles Dickens and See It Again are multiple Grade 1 winners and there is no doubt that the Stallion Barn awaits each of them. The King’s Plate (Gr 1) is one of South Africa’s most prestigious Championship events and a massive “plus” for any potential stallion’s CV. Recent Champion Sires Gimmethegreenlight and Jet Master are both former winners of the King’s Plate and interestingly Strydom rode each of them.

And there’s more on the on the line here. Aldo Domeyer is seeking his first King’s Plate winner while “Striker” will be looking to join Anton Marcus as the only 7-time winning jockeys of this great race.

Charles Dickens was widely expected to win the Green Point Stakes five weeks ago, but the Champion Miler failed to sustain his finishing effort and See It Again stepped up to the breach, winning full of running in very impressive fashion. On the evidence of the Green Point Stakes form, See It Again is entitled to his position as a narrow favourite over Charles Dickens, but the latter did not enjoy the run of the race and it would be foolish to suggest there is no coming back for the son of Trippi.

While many may have been a little surprised by See It Again’s dominant victory in the Green Point Stakes – over a distance considered short of his best – not so trainer Michael Roberts. He believes the son of Twice Over has matured and improved as a 4yo and has legitimate claims to being considered the best horse in the land. Roberts won the King’s Plate twice as a rider – on Sledgehammer in 1975 and Wolf Power in 1983 – and the former multiple Champion jockey knows a very good horse when he sees one. The partnership between Strydom and Roberts, two legends of the Turf, has certainly added a dimension of nostalgic excitement each time See It Again appears.

Gaynor Rupert can be justifiably proud that her Drakenstein Stud is represented in the King’s Plate by these two high quality race horses, not to mention that they also bred recent Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1) winner, Snow Pilot, as well as Selangor Cup (Gr 2) winner, Hlhuhluwe, both of which are lining up in a bid to dethrone their older rivals. Charles Dickens and Snow Pilot carry the Drakenstein silks while both See It Again and Hluhluwe are raced by Nick Jonsson, who tasted recent King’s Plate success in consecutive years with the mighty Jet Dark. Jonsson also has former Cape Guineas winner, Double Superlative, as well as the 6yo gelding Speed Machine in the field, both of which are trained by Justin Snaith.

So, is it, as the betting suggests, a two-horse race? Upsets are always possible as we saw last year when Al Muthana shocked Charles Dickens at huge odds and Ricky Maingard’s runner is back to defend his crown. Bernard Fayd’herbe retains the ride and, like Strydom, is also bidding for his seventh King’s Plate victory. Fayd’herbe partnered Pocket Power to three of his four record-breaking victories for the Bass stable but ironically spoilt their party in a big way last year. Maingard and Roberts were team-mates when Wolf Power won in 1983 but now in very different camps 40 years later.

The 3yo’s Snow Pilot and Hluhluwe are out to prove the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas was anything but sub-standard while the likes of Cosmic Highway, Double Superlative and Royal Aussie will be targeting another “train-smash” result such as we witnessed last year. But, while we can always expect the unexpected, I am confident that either See It Again or Charles Dickens will emerge victorious and be crowned King of Kenilworth. Tiny margins separate the pair and no doubt pace, tactics and a little bit of luck will play their usual role but, in making a choice, I am going to row in with See It Again to stamp his claims as being the best in the land.

The Cartier Paddock Stakes (Gr 1) for Fillies and Mares over 1800m sees reigning Horse-of-the-Year Princess Calla take on the recent WSB Fillies Guineas (Gr 1) winner, Beach Bomb, and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1) runner-up, Red Palace. Not surprisingly Princess Calla has been priced up deep in the red, but the daughter of Flower Alley may not have matters all her own way and both Red Palace and Beach Bomb warrant utmost respect.

The Anthonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy (Gr 2) over 1800m has attracted a very competitive 13-horse field but last year’s winner, Rascallion, looks very good value at his current price of 16/1. Pacaya is the early market leader but is 7,5kgs worse off with Rascallion for a one-length beating in the WSB Greyville 1900 in July and Vaughan Marshall’s runner should give us a good run for our money.

October Morn will relish reverting to 1200m in the Cartier Sceptre Stakes (Gr 2) and may prove the one they all have to beat in a high-quality renewal. Interestingly though, in-form Gareth Wrights partners stable companion Winter Cloud, a winner of her only start over track and trip, while Raymond Danielson has been booked for October Morn. Stable jockey Aldo Domeyer can’t draw the weight on either October Morn or Winter Cloud and rides the year older Golden Hostess who stands out as the top selection if the handicappers have their sums correct.

The Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of last Season Mrs Geriatrix steps back in trip and it would come as no surprise if the daughter of Vercingetorix was to get back on the winning trail. She easily accounted for Winter Cloud in the 1200m Allan Robertson Fillies Championship back in June and a repeat of that performance could see her in the winner’s circle. She carries a 2kg penalty here for that Grade 1 win but if Mrs Geriatrix brings her A-game, that may not be enough for Winter Cloud to bridge the gap.

Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu makes his seasonal re-appearance in the Winchester Cup over 1000m, his first run since winning the Mercury Sprint in July. It would represent an incredible training feat if he were to win first up under 62 kgs as all his main rivals, Thunderstruck, Rio Querari, Bereave, Mr Cobbs, Yellowporscheroad, Hunting Trip etc, are fully match fit and in good form. This race is the opening leg of the Place Accumulator and, given the spread of weights, it may prove best to cast your net as wide as possible.

Okapi Ladies International An Intriguing Tussle

Vicky Lerena was a professional jockey at one stage and she has a fine chance in tomorrow’s Okapi Ladies International on the Paddy Kruyer-trained The US OF A (The United States) (Picture: Cape Racing)

Written by Mark van Deventer

The L’Ormarins King’s Plate card gets underway at 12h25 on 6 January with the Okapi Ladies International Maiden Race down the straight 1200m course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

All 12 thoroughbreds will be ridden by women, who bring a wide range of equestrian experience to bear.

Take Chiné van Niekerk, who has a background in dressage with 29 years of riding – she will partner the Candice Bass Robinson trained, LOVE SHACK. “In dressage, soft hands are important, as are use of the legs. Race riding is an adjustment, and we must use different muscles – it’s more about core strength and the top half of the body.”

The assured Van Niekerk, who said she is not in any way nervous ahead of her Okapi debut, knows what she is talking about: She started out with veteran conditioner, Corrie Lensley, then moved on to ride work for trainer JJ van Vuuren, and along the way also found time to train under James Maree for her Work Riders License.

Van Niekerk confirms that the consistent LOVE SHACK is “feeling good.” The CAPTAIN OF ALL filly has placed at each of her last five starts, so should again be in the fray.

The petite Savanna Valjalo comes at this special event from a different perspective, after showjumping for 22 years. Yet, she is similarly assured, remarking with conviction that, “I understand horses better than people.”

Valjalo, who will ride Snaith Racing’s, GRAVITY may disarmingly say, “I want to have fun and will ride the race with a smile on my face…”, but underneath that bubbly nature is a determined, competitive streak. If Gravity can build on a recent near miss behind PLAZA ACCORD, then Valjalo could be sitting on a prime contender.

Vikki Lerena, who is married to ace jock, Gavin, will ride THE US OF A for Paddy Kruyer, a potential wake-up horse after a midfield debut behind THE REAL PRINCE. Lerena has more experience at this race-riding gig than most, and has won races on smart horses like Sean Tarry’s WENDYWOOD, and Mike Bass’s ENCHANTRESS at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

She does a great deal of work-riding at Randjiesfontein and Turffontein on the Highveld, and refines her technique on the Equisizer specially designed and built by her husband. The supportive couple also share tactical insights after races – though Vikki good-naturedly quipped, “a half an hour debrief with Gavin is long enough…” – but prefer to leave race-day dramas behind and instead relax with their kids.

ROLL OF THE DICE (trained by Michelle Rix) will be piloted by Kayleigh Oakes. She was encouraged by Vikki Lerena to get involved and has a jockey connection as well: her boyfriend is Highveld-based hoop, Wes Marwing.

Oakes is an accomplished show jumper. She has developed even speedier reflexes in grass gallops overseen by stalwart conditioner, Paul Matchett, and teaches racehorses how to start properly by putting them through the pens.

ROLL OF THE DICE was understandably green on debut in September; this will be his first run back after gelding.

Hard-core form analysts will, as usual, pour through the intricacies of the past performances looking for that elusive secret code to try exploit an edge at the odds.

NOON DAY GUN, GRAVITY, WISSA’S ON FIRE (Danielle Rivalland), GIMMETHELIMELIGHT (Kelsey Mayhew-Munger) SEE YOU IN A BIT (Helen Richardson) & RIVERSTONE (Kim Meaker) all have alluring credentials and could crack their Maiden tags come Saturday, but there is more to this special race than just smoking out the winner.

(Turf Talk Ed) Wilmien Fourie is one from one in workriders events and will attempt to keep up her unbeatan amateur record before joining the South African Jockey Academy on Monday. The KZN-based rider has vast experience riding work at Summerveld and her ride in the Okapi, the Glen Kotzen-trained What A Winter colt CONNERY, had some good earlier sprint form and the blinkers are off after he did not do well in them last time. Wilmien has worked the colt twice this week and said he had felt fantastic so this horse is also a contender.

The Okapi Ladies International is a worthy initiative that promotes broader participation in horse racing and celebrates diversity. What an innovative way to kick start the prestigious, LÓrmarins King’s Plate Day of ‘24!

LKP Meeting Preview With Cohen, Bloomberg and Jonathan Snaith

Picture: Alistair Cohen hosts Jonathan Snaith and Robert Bloomberg

L’Ormarins King’s Plate preview with analysts Jonathan Snaith and Robert Bloomberg anchored by Cape Racing’s stalwart commentator Alistair Cohen

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth LKP Meeting Formguides

Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla has been selected to win the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes by the At The Races tipster (Picture: Wayne Marks)

At The Races

1 12:25 PM – Okapi Ladies International Maiden Plate

The Okapi Ladies International gets the prestigious King’s Plate meeting underway and has attracted a competitive field of runners and female riders. Justin Snaith saddled the winner of this race last year and has a strong hand in this year’s renewal. Both NOON DAY GUN and GRAVITY have improved after gelding and have the form to play a leading role while stablemate GIMMETHELIMELIGHT receives a sex allowance and could have more to offer with first-time blinkers fitted. WISSA’S ON FIRE was second on debut in KZN and should improve. ROUGAROUIN, RIVERSTONE, LOVE SHACK and THE US OF A have claims.

2 1:00 PM – Trippi Stakes

Tricky start to the BiPot. SWEETIE DARLING is the only runner in the race to have won so has to carry a penalty, though should remain competitive with any amount of improvement. Well-bred ROMAN AGENT caught the eye on debut and will pose a threat if building on that. Other likely improvers are well-bred colts BJORN IRONSIDE, UN BEL DI and MASTER CASPER who finished in that order on debut behind ROMAN AGENT, with BUZZ BOMB and SET TO MUSIC further adrift. COMMANDING should also improve after a pleasing introduction so could get involved. Watch the betting on the newcomers.

3 1:35 PM – Franschhoek Motor Museum Winchester Sprint Cup

A competitive sprint featuring Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship contenders. THUNDERSTRUCK beat BEREAVE, RIO QUERARI and subsequent recent winner YELLOWPORSCHEROAD in a similar contest over 1100m six weeks ago and is weighted to confirm his superiority. MR COBBS, RESONATE and MUFASA ought to get closer on 2kg better terms. READY TO CHARGE and OUTLAW KING are likely to improve after their Cape Summer introductions, with the latter expected to turn the tables on 5kg better terms. Equus Champion ISIVUNGUVUNGU is slung in under the conditions and needn’t be fully tuned to win on his reappearance.

4 2:15 PM – Cartier Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2) (Fillies & Mares)

Red-hot field in which several runners renew rivalry having clashed in a 1000m Grade 2 event recently. KWINTA’S LIGHT came out on top that day and is equally effective over this trip, so ought to remain competitive. THREE ROCKS, OCTOBER MORN and SHANTASTIC are all better off on revised weight terms and are capable of turning the tables. KISS ME CAPTAIN could also get closer. Last season’s champion 2yo MRS GERIATRIX is unbeaten over sprint distances and can recapture the winning thread. RASCOVA, WINTER CLOUD and versatile GOLDEN HOSTESS could also feature.

5 2:50 PM – Anthonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy (Grade 2)

A competitive contest featuring several WSB Met hopefuls. AT MY COMMAND copped a hefty penalty for finishing second in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes last time but a repeat of that effort should be good enough to win this race. PACAYA was an eye-catching and fast-finishing third behind MASTER REDOUTE recently and was inconvenienced in the closing stages, so ought to turn the tables on better weight terms. Both WATERBERRY LANE and SUGAR MOUNTAIN are also weighted to reverse that form. In-form GENTLEMAN JOE, distance-suited WITHOUT QUESTION and maturing MUCHO DINERO can stake a claim.

6 3:25 PM – Cartier Paddock Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (Fillies & Mares)

Horse Of The Year PRINCESS CALLA has run well in defeat in both her starts during this Cape summer campaign against male opposition and is, given the favourable conditions of this race, hard to oppose competing against her own sex. Cape Fillies Guineas winner BEACH BOMB and RED PALACE, runner-up in the colts/geldings equivalent, are likely to pose the biggest threat in receipt of 6kg. HAPPY CHANCE and SAARTJIE, who won a Grade 3 over this course and distance recently, complete the shortlist.

7 4:10 PM – L’Ormarins King’s Plate (WFA) (Grade 1)

A vintage King’s Plate renewal highlighted by another eagerly anticipated rematch of familiar foes SEE IT AGAIN and CHARLES DICKENS. The former was impressive in winning the Green Point Stakes in his latest outing and, on the evidence of that display, rates the one to beat. SNOW PILOT won the Grade 1 Cape Guineas over this course and distance when last seen and is open to improvement. On the form of that race, he holds stablemate HLUHLUWE who is drawn wide. DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE, AL MUTHANA and ROYAL AUSSIE are all capable of getting involved but have wide draws to contend with. Great race.

8 4:45 PM – Jet Dark Stakes Class 3

Wide open. USA’S HOPE and DOUBLE CHARGE are closely matched on recent form over track and trip. However, STREET OUTLAW is weighted to turn the tables on both, while DUMBLEDORE ought to finish closer having tightened up since. FUTURE VARIETY won a 3yo course-and-distance feature and is still improving, so should play a leading role. TENANGO has been gelded since that outing and could have more to offer, while fellow 3yo geldings ICY BLAST and GIMMELIGHTNING have form and experience to make their presence felt. DANCE VARIETY, ZIL MORIS and STEINBECK are not without a chance either.

9 5:20 PM – Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup (Grade 3)

Highveld raiders ARAGOSTA and NEBRAAS are proven over this trip and made encouraging Cape summer introductions so are likely to be competitive. The former won over course and distance so gets the nod. The latter finished behind FUTURE SWING last time but is weighted to turn the tables over a distance more to his liking. OTTO LUYKEN, TRIPLE TIME and SENSO UNICO have claims on that form, though a bigger threat is likely to come from ONE WAY TRAFFIC and HAN SOLO, both of whom are consistent sorts with solid form.

Get Your Ride Of The Month Thinking Caps On

Turf Talk readers will be eligible for a discounted rate when making a booking at the Peermont D’Oreale Grande hotel at the Emperors Palace (pictured above).

Turf Talk readers must start noting down good rides for this month, because the first Emperor’s Palace Ride Of The Month competition in association with Turf Talk takes place at the end of this month.

Turf Talk recently introduced Emperor’s Palace as our official hotel partner.

At the same time they announced Emperor’s Palace as sponsors of an exciting new competition, the Emperors Palace Ride of the Month!

Further exciting news was that Turf Talk readers will be eligible for a discounted rate when making a booking at the Peermont D’Oreale Grande hotel at the Emperors Palace.

Watch this space for an editorial about the five star star experiences that can be enjoyed at the Doreale Grande and about other associated events.

An explanation about the booking code for Turf Talk readers will also be included in the editorial.

How will the Emperor’s Palace Ride Of The Month competition work?

The competition will commence this month.

On the last Monday of every month, Turf Talk will invite readers to nominate a ride that they deem to be above the ordinary. These nominations must be emailed to editor@turftalk.co.za.

The five best rides will then be selected by the Turf Talk editor.

Voting will then be opened in the Wednesday edition of the Turf Talk newsletter.

A small write up on each ride is accompanied by a youtube link of the respective races.

Votes will be submitted to Editor@turftalk.co.za.

The winner will be announced on the immediate Friday.

Emperors Palace will provide Turf Talk with a list of prizes and each prize will be announced when declaring the winner.

Watch this space!

Sandringham Summit To Exact Revenge?

Sandringham Summit and Main Defender will continue their rivalry this weekend. Picture: (4Racing)

Jack Milner (The Citizen)

The last time they met it was Main Defender who came out on top.

Two of the best three-year-olds in the country, Main Defender and Sandringham Summit, will go head-to-head for the second time in the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday.

This is the second time they will be meeting and ironically it is over the same course and distance and at identical weights.

The last time they met it was Main Defender who came out on top but by a miniscule distance. The two fought it out all the way to the line with the lead changing at intervals.

Although the Tony Peter-trained Main Defender got the upper hand in the Graham Beck Stakes last October, Sandringham Summit did have excuses.

Firstly, it was his first run since his victory in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes as a two-year-old while Main Defender had a warm-up – a winning one at that – in the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge.

Secondly, jockey Calvin Habib, who was aboard Sandringham Summit, said that when his mount saw the advertising boards on the inside of the track he put his ears back for a stride or two and that is when Main Defender got his nose in front.

Main Defender has not raced since that victory but Sandringham Summit went on to contest the Grade 2 Dingaans for three-year- olds over 1600m for which the 2022/23 Champion two-yearold went off a very short-priced favourite.

However, once again luck was not on the side of the David Nieuwenhuizen- trained colt as early in the race he suffered interference, was carried out and had to be steadied.

Jockey Gavin Lerena said that after that interference his mount took no interest for a while and dropped to last.

He turned into the straight way off the leading group, although he flew up late to finish a two-length third behind Purple Pitcher.

It’s a tough one to call and it all could come down to luck in running, but this time it could go the way of Sandringham Summit.

Interestingly, Habib rides Main Defender this time while Lerena is aboard Sandringham Summit again.

Fourie/Greeff Double, Mxothwa, Kotzen, Nel Doubles

The Peter de Beyer homebred Gold Standard filly Lady Renee, ridden by Dennis Schwarz, gave trainer Sharon Kotzen a double today. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Richard Fourie rode a double for Alan Greeff on the Fairview turf today and Luyolo Mxothwa, Sharon Kotzen and Juan Nel also had doubles.

Fourie is now on 131 wins for the season at a strike rate of 19.61%.

Mxothwa is on 38 wins at 10.58%.

Sharon Kotzen is on 14 wins at 7.73%.

Nel is on 9 wins at 10.23%.

Today’s Question

The picture above gives a clue to the answer (Picture: asianracingreport.com)

Which jockey started his career in October 1973, more than 50 years ago, and rode a double on November 17 last year at the age of 67.

Midweek FIELDS

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Scottsville, Sunday

Turffontein Standside, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer

Japan jockey Fumio Matoba had his first ride on October 16 1973 and is the winning-most jockey in Japan history with over 7400 wins. His first win was on November 5 1973 and on November 17 last year he rode a double at the same racecourse, Tokyo City Keiba (TCK), located in Shinagawa in Tokyo (see picture above)