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)

David Thiselton

 

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’ 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 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 having been together with him in the running.

 

The country’s most travelled 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 and the latter eventuality has actually been seen in Jo’Burg horses before with all of Hawwaam, Malmoos, Tail Of The Comet, Queen Supreme, Buy And Sell etc disappointing in their second Cape Town starts. When raiding Durban, horses are able to return to the Highveld before their next Durban start, but obviously can’t do the same in Cape Town.

 

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.

 

The fastest final sectional was third-placed See It Again’s 12.08 (96) with seventh-placed Gladatorian second fastest in 12.18 seconds.

 

Alistair Cohen

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.

Please note that the racing meeting scheduled for Saturday, 17/01/26 at the Turffontein Standside Track has been moved to the Vaal Main Track.

This decision follows significant rainfall over the past few months, combined with the volume of racing on the Turffontein Standside Track, which has resulted in noticeable wear and tear.

While the track continues to recover daily, a short mini-break will allow it to fully address these issues and ensure optimal racing conditions ahead of the main season.

 

The following distance changes will apply for this meeting:

Progress Plate will now be run over 1700m

MR 84 Handicap will now be run over 1700m

All events originally scheduled over 1160m will now be run over 1200m

The track will be reassessed next week, and a further update will be communicated accordingly.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 12 January 2026.