David Thiselton

The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Jan van Goyen will be out to become only the sixth three-year-old to win the L’Ormarins King’s Plate since World War II, but he will on the other hand become the third three-year-old to do it this decade and the second three-year-old in succession.

He is a 2/1 chance with Hollywoodbets to pull it off.

He might be a twice Gr 1 winner already, but is in fact still relatively unexposed, because he won both of his Gr 1s by comfortable margins and without being put under undue pressure by his regular rider Callan Murray.

The winning margins were 3,70 lengths in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes and 2,75 lengths in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

In the Champion Stakes his time was 97,63 seconds, which was a touch slower than the 97,39 seconds recorded by the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes winner Golden Palm and was a lot slower than the 95,63 seconds recorded by I Salute You in the Listed Michel Nairac Stakes Darley Arabian, although the latter was carrying 4,5kg less than Jan van Goyen.

However, Jan van Goyen’s Cape Guineas time of 98.45 seconds was quicker than the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes time of 98.77 seconds by his stablemate Dave The King.

Furthermore, he looked to still have plenty in hand, while Dave The King was at the end of his reserves and being challenged on all sides.

Jan van Goyen’s only defeat over 1600m came in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans, but that was his first run for four months and he was caught wide without cover.

Jan Van Goyen will receive 5kg from the top rated horse Eight On Eighteen on Saturday, but off an official 118 he is 5,5kg under sufferance with the 129-rated Equus Horse Of The Year.

However, he has not yet had an opportunity to prove himself against older or higher rated horses. The LKP will be his acid test.

Eight On Eighteen, who achieved his high rating over 2000m and 2200m,  is making his reappearance and has in fact not run since finishing second in the Hollywoodbets Durban July six months ago. He would obviously prefer further, but did finish a 1,25 length second to One Stripe in last season’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and the latter then went on to win the King’s Plate.

However, Eight On Eighteen was beaten by Sail The Seas in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas the last time he came back from a layoff and he was only a long-head in front of Cosmic Speed in that race. He is a 5/1 shot with Hollywoodbets for the LKP, while Sail The Seas is 25/2 and Cosmic Speed is 33/1.

Dave The King won the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes, despite carrying a Gr 1 penalty in the latter race and achieved his 128 rating over this trip and over 1800m.

He is a 10/1 shot whilst See It Again, whom he beat by 0,35 lengths in the Green Point and with whom he will now be 2kg better off with, is 6/1. However, See It Again was coming back from a long layoff in the Green Point and lost two lengths at the start after fly-jumping. Furthermore, See It Again’s downfield finish in the Gold Challenge was due to him being severely hampered. He did later beat Eight On Eighteen by 1,35 lengths in the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m. The bookmakers might also be viewing new trainer Justin Snaith’s Champion Trainer status as worth a point or two on the betting boards.

Dave The King beat The Real Prince by 2,50 lengths in the Green Point and will face him on the same terms in the King’s Plate and yet is 10/1 compared to The Real Prince’s 6/1. The 126-rated The Real Prince was returning from a four-and-a-half month layoff in that race and had caught the eye with an effortlessly fast finish in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m before his Hollywoodbets Durban July win. He also beat Dave The King in the Champions Cup by 2,55 lengths. However, his 126 rating was achieved over that 1800m trip.

If the Champions Cup is a good measure of form for The LKP then it is questionable why the 127-rated Gladatorian is out at 14/1 odds. He won the Champions Cup but was already a 127 from his Gold Challenge run. He was said to have been unusually strong in the Green Point, where he was beaten 3,25 lengths. He was only 0,35 lengths behind Dave The King in the Gold Challenge and was closing fast. That should be a more accurate assessment of his mile ability and he should be more settled on Saturday having experienced the course.

Without delving any further into the form, it has become clear already from the above discussion that it is somewhat muddled among the older horses and they look to be ripe for a beating by a top newcomer.

On the other hand, the horses Jan Van Goyen beat in the Cape Guineas have the same sort of muddled form and the Dingaans form is not looking too good. Trust does look visually exceptional but was only 5,10 lengths ahead of an East Cape horse and 5,40 lengths ahead of Shadowfax, who was subsequently beaten 3,50 lengths in a Graduation Plate by a 98 rated horse at level weights.

In conclusion there are still question marks about Jan Van Goyen, but the visual appearance of his Guineas win make him an exciting prospect and he could give the De Kock yard a second win of the iconic L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Andrew Harrison

With race meetings coming thick and fast over the holiday season, local trainers are running out of suitable horses as punters face a seven-race card on the poly today. However, it is a card that punters will need to do their homework.

The programme is headed by a B Stakes over 1200m where Glen Kotzen’s runner Circumbendibus tries for a winning hattrick. He has won comfortably at his last two but has gone up 12 points in the handicap for those wins. However, both were impressive and he can go in again. A likely danger is Mvelelo who is hunting his fourth straight win. He got a five-point shunt up the handicap  for his last effort which could be enough to halt his winning streak. Visiting Wild At War is the first KZN runner for the sister combination of Candice and Tammy Dawson and is their only runner on the day. The gelding has been making steady recent improvement and has come down in the ratings to what could be a more competitive mark. Buttercup Baby is a smart filly with a handy weight who goes well this course and distance. The form of her last win has been franked and one can expect another forward showing.

Best bet on a tricky card could come in the first where Mike and Mathew de Kock saddle Strutting. She was caught in the last strides last time out and drops back in trip. She looks the part in this mostly modest field.

Of the balance, Harpa was a close-up second last run without the blinkers but they are back on and this trip should suit. Anemie has patchy form but has shown some form over course and distance.

The second is a competitive handicap. Rafiki returns from a break and goes well on the poly. He was close-up under a big weight last start and has a better galloping weight here. Ibutho was due to run last Wednesday but won well last time out and can follow up depending on that latest outing. Stable companion Winter Waves meets him at level weights and should be able to turn the tables given their last meeting.  Another Alyson Wright runner Ultra Quick is back on his favourite surface and with a 4kg claimer up could be the stable pick.

The Pick 6 starts in the third where Isivivane finished second best last run in the Christmas Handicap but goes well on the poly. He steps up in trip but should see it out. Sundance Kid was back to best when an easy winner last time out. He goes well on the poly and again has the 4kg claimer aboard. Gotta Go Eddie was a touch disappointing last run but now has a light weight from the best of the draw and can do better. Eventidor has come good of late as he bids for a hattrick. He is up in class but should still be competitive. One to watch in the market is Star In Motion. Back in KZNB after some modest performances in Cape Town, he only has 52.5kg to shoulder and Cape form is often much stronger than local.

The fourth is a competitive sprint with many in with chances. Adam Azzie is still hunting his first KZN winner but it could come in the form of Summer Winter. She has the widest draw to overcome but has had two runs back from a break and should now be at her peak. She has also run well on the poly. Tienie Prinsloo saddles Miss Munroe who was disappointing first run for her new stable after two Highveld wins. The compression mask is back on and she can make amends. Louis Goosen has two chances. Arverni Princess who steps up in class but only got a one-point raise in the handicap for her last win. She only has 49.5kg to shoulder and is over her optimum trip. Stable companion Malshana Mou was a recent maiden winner and has a hefty handicap rating. However, she goes well over course and distance and can follow up.

The fifth is wide open. Grand Force took an age to shed his maiden but followed up with a solid handicap effort. He has a 4kg claimer aboard and should be competitive in a modest line-up. Cappellino was a neck behind Grand Force when last they met and meet on the same handicap terms and there should be very little between the two. Axis Power is lightly raced and has dropped significantly in the handicap and could be the surprise package while Trafalgar Square has not been far back at recent outings and goes well this course and distance.

The last is another open contest but although Izibulo has the widest draw he has come to hand of late when taking on stronger and should be a big runner. Copacabana was a game winner over the distance last time out and she only got a three-point raise in the handicap that has been offset by a 2.5kg claimer. However, there should be little between her, Blind Speed, Futano and Amafort who all should be considered in exotic calculations.

David Thiselton

The L’Ormarins King’s Plate meeting is one of the iconic meetings of the South African turf and features the country’s oldest race, which has been run annually since 1861.

The Pick 6 will be worth taking as the pool always reaches a decent size.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m. Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal carries a 2kg Gr 1 penalty. She was beaten 1,75 lengths over 1400m in her penultimate start by Princess Of Gaul, who carries a 1kg penalty as the winner of Gr 2s over 1200m and 1400m. However, Quickstepgal likely needed the latter race and beat Princess Of Gaul by 2,50 lengths in the Guineas. Quickstepgal had fine form in KZN too from 1200m to 1400m. Mia Moo is the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint reigning champion and come off a Listed win over 1160m. Mon Petit Cherie has blossomed into a classy sort and is a runner. Symphony In White and Lowveld Lily could be considered for wider permutations.

In the next leg, the Gr 2 Antonij Ruper Premier Trophy over 1800m, Okovango and Native Ruler are the best weighted pair according to official merit ratings and should fight it out with preference for the latter as he is drawn in pole and has been more eyecatching. Regulation is progressive and he can be considered too from a good draw, despite officially being 7,5kg under sufferance.

In the Cartier Paddock Stakes defending champion Double Grand Slam will go close from draw five out of ten. She comes off a win over 1600m and British Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is up with Andrew Fortune being jocked off. However, Fortune still has a fine chance aboard Double Grand Slam’s stablemate Wish List. This Legislate filly was finishing well from a wide draw in the Cape Fillies Guineas (CFG) for a two length third and on pedigree will relish the step up in trip. She has yet another tough draw of eight. Reet Petite finished strongly in the CFG and it appeared her loss by 0,75 lengths was only because she ran out of real estate. From pole position and with Richard Fourie up she is the choice to win over a step up in trip she should enjoy on pedigree. Rainbow Lorikeet is a reliable sort and is sure to thereabouts again from a good draw. Red Palace was runner up last year, but needs to bounce back from a shocker last time and that won’t be easy from the widest draw of ten. Her stablemate Keukenhof came from last in the Cape Fillies Guineas and was only 3,90 lengths back at the line and will relish the step up in trip. Sukhumvit was impressive last time out when romping home in the Gr 3 1Voucher Victress Stakes over 1800m. She will now be 9kg worse off with the 3,25 length runner up in that contest, Rainbow Lorikeet, so on paper the latter has her measure, but Sukhumvit has just never got going in her career and now that she is coming into her own she could be the surprise package from draw seven. Minogue is in tremendous form and tries a trip for the first time that she is actually bred for, so has a fine chance too from draw six.

Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Buffalo Storm Cody is unbeaten in three starts this season and is the highest rated horse in the country on 132, so will take a power of beating in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship. He is drawn 13, so hopefully there is not the bias towards the low draws that there has been on occasion. If there is a bias towards low draws then the second highest rated runner, Tenango, will not actually be favoured by barrier one because he is a hold up horse with a terrific finish and will have traffic problems if the field track over towards the inside. I Am Giant is drawn two and is one who likes to relax in midfield before unleashing his powerful finish. Asiye Phambili will love this distance and will be hoping the gaps open for her from a likely midfield position from draw five. Truth and Snow Pilot both have good pace and are outsiders to consider. Constellation is officially way out at the weights but this three-year-old is relatively unexposed and is on the up. Lucky Lad is a twice Gr 1-winning sprinter and although he might need luck from draw three he will enjoy the normal furious pace of this race. Richard Fourie is aboard Gr 1-winning three-year-old filly Direct Hit, whose first career defeat in six starts was last time out when beaten 2,60 lengths over this course and distance by  Asiye Phambili. She was only half-a-kilogram worse off than weight for age in that race, so is up against it with Asiye Phambili here, but that was also her second run after a layoff and she could bounce back.

In the King’s Plate Jan Van Goyen could be something special and will take a power of beating from draw two. The Real Prince can turn it on in fine style and will be a threat. Gladatorian is way better than his last run when unusually strong on the bit and if bouncing back to his best he will be a big runner. See It Again is fresh and a big runner if able to produce his best. Dave The King is always dangerous if able to dictate due to his long run in. Garrix impressed last time and must be a runner too and outsiders to consider are Cosmic Speed and Fire Attack.

The last race over 2500m is tough but the trio who make most appeal are Holding Thumbs, Ahead Of The Facts and Triple Time.

Andrew Harrison

Garth Puller, peerless in the saddle as a rider and a horseman of note. With three of the seven runners in the Progress Plate that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening, one was never sure which was the ‘right’ one, all on a different agendas.

Best proved to be Cardinal Chief as Rachel Venniker booted home her third winner of the evening, the third of four, and three for Michael Roberts.

It was all to play for at the top of the straight as The Marquee led the way but Cardinal Chief gradually reeled him in, going on the win comfortably.

Fortress Of Fire lost his way after showing potential in a smart debut win. He was nowhere in a couple of juvenile features that left Michael Roberts puzzling.

Six months down the line and the son of Fire Away is finally for filling that early promise as he crushed a Class 4 against some useful opposition in the first leg of the Pick 6.

The field was cut to five runners given all the scratchings but after taking a few knocks after the start Rachel Venniker settled her mount in behind. Keagan de Melo made an early dash for the line crossing the subway but Venniker had all under control allowing Fortress Of Fire to drift in without breaking his momentum. He was 2.5kg worse off with second-placed Maphaka on their last meeting which says a lot for his progression.

Master Du Rouvray turned the tables on Gotta Go Eddie after the two met back in October last year. Gotta Go Eddie has one of the more consistent formlines and Mark Dixon’s runner is still progressing as he showed when hooking up with ‘Eddie’ at the top of the straight and out-dueling Mike and Mathew de Kock’s runner. Dixon was more than happy with the win as he pointed out that his charge needed further but he was forced into Friday night’s race due to a lack of opportunity.

Yadav Singh stayed loyal to Cole Dicken after the rider had made the most of his pick-up ride on Iron Will at his previous start that resulted in a comfortable front-running victory.

It was more of the same as Iron Will led the six-horse field all the way until challenged by Grand Appeal some 300m out. Callan Murray appeared to have time his run to perfection as Grand Appeal pocked his nose in front, but Iron Will lived up to his name and refused to give in under a driving ride from Dicken and came back for more. It was heads up-and-down at the line with Iron Will a nose to the good.

Willie Pieters was a Gr1 winning trainer before switching to the safari business but he is back with the Classic Racing Syndicate in partnership with leading bloodstock agent Andy Williams. The syndicate currently has two trainers in Darryl Moore and Paul Gadsby with Pieters stating that the syndicate was going to support the smaller trainers who did not always get the recognition that they deserved.

Moore came up trumps in the first race on the New Year as Keagan de Melo made all the running on Captain Venture, a relatively cheap buy that underpins the Pieters/Williams expertise.

Black Frost finally got his act together as he kept up a solid gallop to see off all contenders in the first leg of the PA giving Venniker the first of her four winners and the first of three for Roberts.

Salani Kahle

New Year’s eve on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly was a low key meeting with mostly maidens and low-class handicaps but it did show up one galloper with potential. Salani Kahle is an imposing son of Master Of My Fate and given his bulk and the fact that he is still a colt will no doubt have contributed to his late start on the race track.

All at sea on debut, he followed up with a convincing maiden win and last Friday franked that form with an equally commanding victory first up in a handicap.

It is way too early to get over excited but given his pedigree, a mile and further may well be his optimum trip, and he is far from the finished article so Gareth van Zyl and Anthony Delpech of Hollywood Racing will be plotting a way forward as Salani Kahle is definitely one for the notebook.

Hollywood Racing rounded off another successful year with a double on the day as the ever game El Rey Viene held off all challengers two races later for Duncan Howells and regular Howells pilot Kabelo Matsunyane.