The Real Prince's Sectionals Proved His Class
The Real Prince digs deep to repel Questioning (Picture: Wayne Marks)
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’s 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 in the straight 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 them having been together in the running.
The country’s most traveled 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.
Highveld horses going flat in Cape Town after their first outings has been seen before with all of Hawwaam, Malmoos, Tail Of The Comet, Queen Supreme and Buy And Sell being examples of horses who disappointed in their second Cape Town start and there must be plenty of others.
When raiding Durban, horses are able to return to the Highveld before their next Durban start to keep the advantage of training at altitude instead of going flat by staying at the coast, but obviously the same can’t be done from Cape Town due to the distance of the journey.
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.
He might have run an even more efficient race than The Real Prince, considering his stamina question marks and that he was faster than The Real Prince in the last two sectionals, although The Real Prince did have to negotiate some traffic.
The Real Prince’s stamina capacity might have enabled him to find the extra necessary to repel Questioning.
The fastest final sectional was third-placed See It Again’s 12.08 (96) with seventh-placed Gladatorian second fastest in 12.18 seconds.
They join The Real Prince, Sail The Seas and Eight On Eighteen, who finished a 4,25 length eighth in the King’s Plate, as lively candidates for the Gr 1 WSB Met.
Kingdundee Rules The Sprinters On King's Plate Day
The Clive Murphy homebred gelding Kingdundee completes a start to finish victory in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship under Calvin Habib (Picture: Wayne Marks)
There was a dream result in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship as the East Cape raider Kingdundee, a Clive Murphy-homebred four-year-old gelding, blitzed them from the highest draw of all in the 14 horse field to lead from start to finish under Calvin Habib.
He gave Dean Smith his first Gr 1 winner just a few months after he had taken over the yard from his late father Gavin and it was also a first Gr 1 winner for the Galileo sire The United States.
Kingdundee beat home the Stuart Ferrie-trained I Am Giant by 0,75 lengths with Outlaw King next best followed by Asiye Phambili, Surjay and Cafe Culture, while the hot favourite Buffalo Storm Cody could only manage seventh place.
Kingdundee caused a 33/1 upset, despite having come into the race unbeaten in five previous starts over 1000m, four of them on the Fairview turf and one on the Fairview poly, and having only once finished out of the top two in his previous eleven career starts and that was over 1400m.
The sprint course was running fast on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and that played into his hands.
Calvin Habib realised the importance of fast early fractions under the circumstances and bounced the four-year-old gelding out from the highest draw of all, draw 14, and tore off to the front, angling to the centre of the track.
It looked briefly at the 400m as if he would come under pressure, but he then actually produced a kick at the 300m mark.
By the 200m mark it became clear that nothing was going well enough to catch him and he managed to keep going to win by 0,75 lengths.
I Am Giant came from two or three lengths off the pace with his usual strong finish down the inside.
The tenacious Outlaw King was just on the outside of I Am Giant and showed how tough he is by staying on from a handy position for a 1,05 length third.
Asiye Phambili was behind I Am Giant throughout and finished hard up on the inside in fourth, beaten 1,45 lengths, and she was the only horse to sneak marginally under 23 seconds for the final 400m.
Surjay, a former wfa Gr 1 winner but now seven years old, finished strongly for a 1,55 length fifth, beating Cafe Culture by a shorthead with Buffalo Storm Cody never really getting into it and staying on for a 2,35 length seventh.
The winner stopped the clock in 57,91 seconds.
Kingdundee has now won 8 races with 2 places from 11 starts and stakes of R1 480 125.
Kingdundee is out of the one-time winning Duke Of Marmalade mare, Miss Marmalade, who was recently acquired by Paardeberg Stud.
Dean Smith was emotional in the winning interview and he dedicated the win to “My Dad” and added, “He ran with him today.”
He said Calvin had come in with a gameplan and had carried it out to a tee.
He said he had believed Kingdundee had a chance but he was not as confident as Calvin had been.
It was in fact the first time Calvin had ridden Kingdundee, who is normally ridden by Craig Zackey.
The latter was tied to the ride on Outlaw King as he is stable jockey to Dean Kannemeyer.
Snaith's 8th Paddock Stakes After Superb Fortune Ride
Andrew Fortune brings home Wish List in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Nobody knows the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racetrack as well as veteran rider Andrew Fortune, who won the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes down the inside rail despite having jumped from draw eight in the ten horse field on the Justin Snaith-trained Wish List.
It was a halcyon day for Snaith, who had six winners in all, including three Graded races in succession.
Fortune eased Wish List at the off and dropped her in onto the rail near the back.
It panned out perfectly, because he ended up following the second favourite and fellow three-year-old Reet Petite on the inside rail in the straight.
When Richard Fourie angled Reet Petite outward the door opened for Wish List and Fortune drove her through.
She was harried all the way to the line by Reet Petite, Rainbow Lorikeet, the favourite Double Grand Slam, who was defending her crown, and Minogue.
However, Wish List stayed on resolutely and prevailed by half-a-length with the aforementioned horses finishing behind her in the order mentioned.
It was Fortune’s second Paddock Stakes win, having first won it with the Tony Furness-trained League Title (Model Man) in 1997.
There was some irony in the victory, because Fortune had been successful on Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes and in her seasonal reappearance, but lost the ride when British Champion jockey Oisin Murphy was booked for the Paddock Stakes.
Wish List is by Legislate out of the Silvano mare Wind Chill, who won the SA Oaks, so she was always going to relish the step up in trip.
It was Legislate’s second Gr 1 winner.
Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Wish List races for Jonathan Bloch and Nancy Hossack
She was a R700 000 National Yearling Sale purchase.
Wish List is now a winner of 2 races with 4 places from her 7 starts and stakes of R836 238.
She started at odds of 8/1, having been backed in from 14/1.
Snaith and Fortune also combined on the day to win the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m with Varsfontein homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme What I Want.
Snaith also won the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m with Master Of My Fate gelding Okavango, who gave Oisin Murphy a winner.
Three-year-old Form Takes Another Knock As Trust Fails
Splitheeights upsets his stablemate One Eye On Vegas and Trust (JC Photos)
Less than 24 hours after Jan Van Goyen’s reputation took a knock with his well beaten 12th in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate his Gr Jackpot City Dingaans conqueror Trust was beaten at odds of 87/100 in the Gr 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m.
This has left the crop without a dominant member, which usually points to it being a below average crop, although that is just the traditional way of looking at things and decent horses could still emerge.
Trust did have to give 2kg to the field, but he was beaten 2,50 lengths by the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix colt Splittheeights, who started at odds of 20/1.
Splittheeights jumped from draw five in the nine horse field and fond a nice position behind Charming Cheetah, who sat on the quarters of the pacemaker Shadowfax.
Splittheeights stablemate One Eye On Vegas, who was second favourite at 5/2, sat on the rail behind Shadowfax.
One Eye On Vegas hit the front and Trust battled to fetch him.
However, the long-striding Splitheeights began to make up the ground rapidly in the closing stages and won by 1,30 lengths at odds of 20/1.
One Eye On Vegas was second and the De Kock yard also had the fourth placed Yippee Kayay, who was well clear of fifth placed Golden Warrior.
Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, Splitheeights is a half-brother to William Robertson and was a R600k purchase from the BSA August 2yo Sale, He delivered a first Graded race victory for enthusiastic racing supporters, Jayson and Preshalin Murugasa.
The Listed Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m was won by the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Warm Reception, who fittingly wore the same black silks with a scarlet cap colours that Mother Russia carried.
Wilgerbosdrift’s Mary Slack owns her and bred her together with her daughter Jessica Jell’s Mauritzfontein Stud.
Warm Reception crossed the line with her ears pricked and was 1,5 lengths of the field under Muzi Yeni.
Warm Reception looks to be yet another promising offspring from Fire Away.
She is now a winner of 3 from 4 starts.
The Listed 4Racing Wolf Power 1600 one again showed what David Nieuwenhuizen can achieve if given a a good horse as it was won by his Varsfontein Stud-bred five-year-old gelding Pressonregardless.
This gelding has improved steadily since joining his yard as an eight race maiden and making his Highveld debut in June 2024.
He is now a six-time winner for owners John Fourie and Lee Harvey and won on Sunday off 104 merit rating under a fine ride by Craig Zackey.
The result further dampened the three-year-old crop’s prospects as the 83/100 favourite Grand Empire lost his unbeaten record.
Pedigree Profile Of The Real Prince
Sarah Whitelaw
When The Real Prince won Saturday’s G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, he emulated his champion sire Gimmethegreenlight.
The latter won the same race, when run as the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, back in 2012, with Gimmethegreenlight a member of a very select group of Queen’s/King’s Plate winning stallions to have sired at least one winner of the race.
In the modern era, only the late Jet Master (winner of the Queen’s Plate in both 1999 and 2000) has been able to sire a Queen’s Plate winner, with Jet Master responsible for four time LQP winner Pocket Power.
The Real Prince, a first King’s Plate winner for his sire, is one of more than 80 stakes winners (and 13 G1 winners) for Gimmethegreenlight, South Africa’s Champion Sire in 2020-2021, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
The Real Prince was one of two graded stakes winners for his sire on LKP day, with Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme What I Want winning the same day’s G2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes.
Gimmethegreenlight has consistently produced top-class performers since he retired to stud in 2012. His first crop was headed by five graded stakes winners led by G1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Gunner, and subsequently crops have proved just as, if not more, prolific. His growing list of champions include Gimme A Nother, winner of the G2 John C Mabee Stakes in the US, as well as the likes of Got The Greenlight, Green With Envy, Got The Greenlight and The Real Prince’s full-brother Gimme A Prince.
Gimme A Nother is not the only Gimmethegreenlight runner to have enjoyed success overseas. His son Yulong Prince, who raced as Surcharge in South Africa, won Australia’s G1VRC Cantala Stakes, while Gimmethegreenlight’s champion daughter Bless My Stars ran second in last year’s G3 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes at Keeneland.
A son of the late More Than Ready, and half-brother to G1 ATC Coolmore Classic winner Ofcourseican (the dam of G3VRC Bart Cummings Handicap winner Persan), Gimmethegreenlight is one of five black type performers produced by the twice winning Canny Lad mare Yes She Can Cancan.
The latter, whose sire is also the broodmare sire of legendary Australian sire Redoute’s Choice, was a direct descendant of 1859 1000 Guineas winner Mayonaise, whose numerous star descendants ranged from US Triple Crown winner Citation to the hugely influential sire A.P. Indy.
The Real Prince also hails from an outstanding female line. His Klawervlei Stud bred dam Real Princess, winner of both the G1 South African Fillies Sprint and G3 Poinsettia Stakes in 2016, was South Africa’s Champion Broodmare of 2024-2025.
The daughter of Trippi enjoyed a remarkable run of success last season, when Real Princess’ son The Real Prince won the G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and Listed City Of Cape Town Jet Master Stakes. His full-brother, Equus Champion Gimme A Prince, won last season’s G1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship and G2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes, and a full-sister Gimmie’s Countess won the 2024 G3 Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes.
The prolific Real Princess is also the dam of this season’s classy three-year-old Gimmie Rules, a winner of three of his first five starts who ran fourth in this season’s G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.
Real Princess, bred on similar lines to Listed Kings Cup winner Trip To Africa as well as to the dam of 2004 Listed TAB Spook Express Handicap victress Explosive Bond, is certainly bred to be good. A daughter of champion sire and top broodmare sire Trippi, she is a half-sister to three stakes winners, notably G1 Cape Guineas winner, and G1 sire, William Longsword.
Race Coast Sales Premier Yearling Sale Catalogue Now Online
Race Coast Sales has announced that the catalogue for the 2026 Premier Yearling Sale is now online. The catalogue can be viewed at www.racecoastsales.co.za.
This year’s sale has attracted support from some of South African’s top breeders, with leading stallions Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate, One World, Querari, Rafeef, What A Winter and reigning champion, Vercingetorix, all well represented in the catalogue. There is also an international flavour to this year’s sale with outstanding Gr 1 winners Cracksman and Kingman both represented, while exciting young stallions, and racecourse rivals, Jet Dark and Kommetdieding both have some exceptional members of their first crops on sale. Invincible Spirit’s Gr 1 winning son, Digital Age, is another exciting young sire represented for the first time on the Premier Yearling Sale, as are the beautifully bred Gr 1 winning pair of Eden Roc and Master Archie. The 2026 Premier Yearling Sale promises to be the best of its kind yet held, with the catalogue packed full of well bred and exciting prospects.
A few potential standouts in this impressive catalogue include:
Lot 1 Divine Justice: c Danon Platina – Kailani (Ambiance Stud)
He is a half-brother to champion, and dual Gr 1 winner, Royal Victory
Lot 4: Unnamed f One World – Kileigh (Blue Sky Thoroughbreds)
This filly is a half-sister to the current high-class galloper Minogue
Lot 6: Roundaboutmidnight c Kingman – Kind Of Beautiful (Drakenstein Stud)
By one of the world’s great sires in the once beaten Kingman, this colt, bred on the same cross as Gr 1 winner Sparkling Plenty, is out of a daughter of Frankel
Lot 18: Little Peregrine f Rafeef – Little Sparrow (Volmoed Stud)
Bred on the potent Rafeef/Var cross, this filly is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner, Pure Predator
Lot 31: Black Amber c Jet Dark – Maria Theresa (Pendenra Stud)
From the first crop of his sire, this colt is a half-brother to dual stakes winner, Maria Querol
Lot 34: Unnamed c The United States – Maryah (Hopes and Dreams Stud)
This colt is out of a Gr 2 winning daughter of Querari
Lot 40: Unnamed c Jet Dark – Nordic Breeze (Normandy Stud)
This colt is out of a Gr 3 winning full sister to Gr 3 winner, Rushing Wind, and to the dam of champion Rio Querari
Lot 56: Pure Jet f Jet Dark – Pure Power (Ten Einde Stud)
From the family of champion Flobayou, this filly is out of a dual stakes winning
daughter of Captain Al
Lot 59: Unnamed c Gimmethegreenlight – Quetta (Millstream Farm)
This colt is a half-brother to this season’s 1Voucher Victress Stakes Gr 3 winner, Sukhumvit
Lot 70: Unnamed c Gimmethegreenlight – Roman Royalty (Cheveley Stud)
This colt, who is from the same female line as Silvano, sports US Gr 1 winner Jeanne Jones as his third dam
Lot 86: Unnamed c Master Of My Fate – Shedrivesmecrazy (Beaumont Stud)
This colt is a full brother to Driving Miss Daisy, who finished second in three Gr 1 races
Lot 94: Rafa’s Tune c Rafeef – Singforafa (Narrow Creek Stud)
This colt is out of South African Fillies Sprint Gr 1 winner, Singforafa
Lot 98: Goodforthemaster c Master Of My Fate – Slightly Blonde (Oldlands Stud)
This colt is a half-brother to Gold Medallion Gr 1/Race Coast Cape Punters Cup Gr 2 winner, Good For You
Lot 113: Unnamed f Jet Dark – Sweet Repeat (Sandown Stud)
From an outstanding family, this filly is out of a full sister to champion, Do It Again, and three-parts sister to dual Gr 1 winner, See It Again
Lot 114: Unnamed f The United States – Swift Dancer (Prosper Stud)
This filly is out of a winning half-sister to the champion dam of Australian Gr 1 winners Autumn Glow and In The Congo
Lot 115: Unnamed f Kommetdieding – Sylvie (Black Swan Stud)
From the first crop of her sire, this filly is a half-sister to three stakes winners including Gr 2 winner, Celtic Rumours
Lot 123: Unnamed c Vercingetorix – Thunder Dance (Klawervlei Stud)
Out of dual Gr 1 winner, Thunder Dance, this colt is a full brother to Irridescence Stakes Listed winner, Ukuduma, from the family of Captain Al
Lot 148: National Gallery f What A Winter – Zamfira (Riethuiskraal Stud)
Out of a twice winning half-sister to champion and outstanding producer, National Colour, this filly is a half-sister to Lebelo Sprint Gr 3 winner Anna Capri
Lot 167: Western Master c Master Of My Fate – Bichette (Lammerskraal Stud)
This colt is out of Camellia Stakes Gr 2 winner Bichette, a half-sister to Gr 1 winners, Viva Maria and Warrior’s Rest
Lot 180: McSteamy c Fire Away – Carlita (Soetendal Estate)
This colt is out of speedy, dual stakes winner, Carlita
Lot 185: Champagne Glow f Vercingetorix – Champery (Maine Chance Farms)
From an outstanding international family, this filly is a full sister to World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas Gr 1 winner Chansonette
Lot 197: Caesar’svastghost c Vercingetorix – Come Fly With Me (Winterbach Stud)
This colt is a half-brother to dual Gr 1 winning sire, Double Superlative
This year’s Premier Yearling Sale is set to take place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Friday, 13th March and Saturday, 14th March. The first day’s trading commences at 16:00, with Saturday’s sale set to get underway at 12:00. Potential buyers are invited to view the yearlings on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to the sale.
For any enquiries about this exciting two-day sale, interested parties are asked to contact Vicky Minott at vicky@racecoast.co.za or Pippa Mickleburgh pippa@racecoast.co.za.
Tenpenny Is Honest And Can Prove His Stamina
Picture: There is a ten race meeting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday
Alistair Cohen (Race Coast)
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.
Formguides To Tuesday's Ten Race Meeting At HWB Kenilworth
Umfula has been tipped to win the seventh race (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Race 1
5 GODRIC GRYFFINDOR ran a great race on debut, he was only beaten just over four lengths by Champagne Castle on the 13th of December, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he should go very close to winning. 1 VERCICAT stayed on well for fourth behind Catwalk King on debut, he finished just over five lengths behind the winner, he should improve tons, watch him closely, there is no doubt he will be competitive in this field. 11 OMKHULU BOSS found some betting support on debut, he was a touch disappointing behind Champagne Castle on the 13th of December, if he can improve from that performance, he could sneak into the places. 2 ST HARRY and 13 NAVASNINE are well-bred first timers, keep watching the market, and watch them move down to the gates. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 11 – 2)
Race 2
11 TRAILFINDER ran a cracker on debut, he finished second behind Digby on the 3rd of December, the form of that race has worked out well, he will improve tremendously going into his second start on Tuesday, watch for a big performance from this good looking colt. 14 PANJANDRUM ran a good race for second behind her stable companion (Whirlwind) on the 17th of December, she is honest, and she tries hard, she will be right there in the finish. 10 TURBULENT ran a much better race on the 21st of December, he ran second in a driving finish behind Influence, if he can bring that run to the track again on Tuesday, he will go close. 7 FORT YUKON is much better than his recent run behind Give It Laldy, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be doing some good work late, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 14 – 10 – 7)
Race 3
5 SEVEN NO TRUMP must have a big winning chance in this field, she ran a good race for fourth behind Kubu on the 17th of December, the drop in trip is key for this filly, she will run a big race. 10 HAZEL GREEN is as honest as they come, she never runs a bad race, she stayed on well for second behind Wyze Declaration on the 17th of December, she will be right there in the finish again. 1 SWIFT SERENITY ran a lovely race for second behind Black Erika on the 10th of December, she certainly enjoys the sprinting trips, on her best form, she definitely has a place chance. 11 WINTER IN AUCKLAND has some fair form, she stayed on nicely for fourth in the same race as Swift Serenity last time, she might be able to sneak into the Quartet late. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 10 – 1 – 11)
Race 4
5 SUGAR DADDY caught the eye late for second behind Give It Laldy on the 6th of December, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m on Tuesday, from a neat draw, he will have a serious winning chance. 2 GALLIC KING ran a great race for second behind Rockanrollin on the 13th of December, he is a beautiful looking colt with a great action, he has a big winning chance now that he steps up in trip to 1400m. 14 PRAIRIE DAWN had absolutely no luck in running last time, he flew home late to finish second behind Sommerstern on the 3rd of December, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw, he could be hard to beat in this field. 11 I AM SAM disappointed terribly in his second start on the 21st of December, ignore that run completely, he is a big individual with a big action, he should improve now that he steps up in trip, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 14 – 11)
Race 5
2 WOMAN IN GOLD ran a lovely race for second behind La Patrona on the 17th of December, she was touched off in a close finish, from a neat draw on Tuesday, she will be hard to beat. 11 LOUI’S STAR finished strongly for second behind Cassandra on the 10th of December, unfortunately the wide draw in this race will make it tough for her, but she will be powering home late, watch her closely at a decent price. 10 UP IN FLAMES never runs a bad race, she stayed on well for third behind La Patrona on the 17th of December, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw on Tuesday, she will be competitive. 3 HOMING PIGEON ran a nice race for third behind Her World on the 10th of December, she steps up in trip again, and she gets the blinkers fitted on Tuesday, there is no doubt she will run a big race. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 11 – 10 – 3)
Race 6
5 YAMAZAKI finished like a train on the 13th of December, he ran a great race for third behind Mente Et Manu, he was a long way back early, and he really powered home late to finish just over one length behind his stable companion, he should love the step up in trip to 1800m, he will be hard to beat. 6 WEHAVEASITUATION won impressively on the 17th of December, she was given three points for that win, jockey Andrew Fortune gets a good tune out of this mare, she will be storming home late, include her into all bets. 7 SIGNOR DANTE won a terrific race on the 6th of December, he was given three points for that victory, he could be anything, if he brings that last performance to the track again on Tuesday, he can win again. 10 ARBITRATION is extremely honest, he stayed on well for fourth behind Noble Hero on the 21st of December, even though he has a big weight on his back for this race, he will be switched off early, and he will be running home strongly late. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 7 – 10)
Race 7
7 UMFULA ran a fair race for fifth in the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap on the 6th of December, he was beaten just under five lengths by Holding Thumbs, the drop in trip is key for this gelding on Tuesday, on his best form, he can definitely win. 4 TENPENNY caught the eye late for second behind Major Master on the 3rd of December, he has lots of ability this gelding, the step up in trip to 1800m will be no problem at all, he will be hitting the line hard, include him into all bets. 1 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN finished just under eight lengths behind Regulation in the Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap on the 13th of December, he is a beautiful looking gelding, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be amongst the places from a good draw. 10 BETTER MAN ran a lovely race in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup on the 22nd of November, he finished just under three lengths behind Good For You, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw on Tuesday, he will be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 1 – 10)
Race 8
9 WORLDLY finished like a rocket last time behind Demanding Dave on the 10th of December, he was almost last early, and he stormed home late to finish third in a tight finish, if he gets some cover early in this race, he will be hard to beat. 6 HIAWATHA GOLDBERG won a good race on the 21st of December, he was given two points for that win, with no weight on his back, he should be competitive in this field. 4 RHYDIAN ran a fair race behind Pomp It Up on the 22nd of November, he was only beaten just over three lengths in a competitive race, he will be just off the speed early on Tuesday, and he will be running on strongly late, watch him closely. 3 SHIFTING PATH will need to improve a few lengths to win a race like this, but he has dropped quite a bit in the ratings, he could sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 6 – 4 – 3)
Race 9
3 MARITZBURG MEMORY caught the eye late for fourth behind Shesgotclass on the 21st of December, she would have needed that run back from a small break, even though the 1000m trip is on the short side for this filly, she will be switched off early, and she will be attacking the line hard late, watch her closely at a fair price. 9 DAME OF TRIX stayed on nicely for third behind Catch A Penny on the 6th of December, she is honest, and she tries hard, include her into all bets, she will go close to winning again. 1 PEACE OF MIND finished just over five lengths behind Palace Gift on the 24th of December, she is lightning fast, with no weight on her back, she will be hard to fetch late. 4 OCTOBER FEST must have a good each way chance in this field, she was touched off in a close finish behind Dame Of Trix on the 15th of November, her form of late is very good, she will stalk the speed early, and she will be running on strongly late, there is no doubt she can win a race like this quite easily. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 9 – 1 – 4)
Race 10
6 THE US OF A ran a great race in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants on the 13th of December, the race didn’t quite go according to plan, and he still managed to finish just over two lengths behind Outlaw King, he is a smart sprinter, the cheek pieces have been fitted for his race on Tuesday, he will run a cracker. 2 ONE LINER quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race on the 26th of November, he was given seven points for that impressive win, he is packed with ability, jockey Muzi Yeni sticks with this gelding, he can definitely win again. 8 DEMANDING DAVE could be anything, he won a top race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of December, he was given five points for that win, the form of his last race has worked out well, his chances must be respected here. 1 GOLDEN DESTINY has run two excellent races in succession, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 8 – 1)
Today's Question
Who is the Coral Eclipse Stakes named after?
The picture gives a clue to the answer (wikipedia)
FIELDS, Tuesday, 13 January
Today’s Question Answer
The event is named after Eclipse, a celebrated 18th-century racehorse. It was established in 1886, and the inaugural running was won by Bendigo. At that time, it was Britain’s richest ever race. The prize fund of £10,000 was donated by Leopold de Rothschild at the request of General Owen Williams, a co-founder of Sandown Park.
