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.
