The L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate meeting taking place on Friday and Saturday this week will be the first of the big events which make January one of South Africa’s most exciting racing months.
On Friday the headliners are the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m and the Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap over 2000m.
The fillies and mares sprint division is strong at present and the Sceptre, a weight for age plus penalties event, is one for the purists to look forward too.
Just Sensual (Liesl King)
The brilliant Just Sensual carried a 2kg Grade 1 penalty last time out in the SW Security Solutions Southern Cross Stakes and she just got up to win over what appeared to be a too sharp 1000m. Blinkers helped her get within striking distance in the running and she then produced her normal strong finish to pip the big outsider Hoist The Mast. The latter was a revelation off a mere 78 merit rating and a slow start might have been the key to her run. This rangy sort was relaxed at the back before slicing through the field and she looked the winner before Just Sensual snared her on the line. Just Sensual will appreciate the step up to 1200m and is the one to beat. However, with similar tactics to last time Hoist The Mast can defy her new merit rating of only 83 and be involved again. Last year’s Sceptre winner Live Life bounced back to form with a strong finish in the Southern Cross to be beaten just 0,8 lengths into third.
The stable fitted a new type of bit for that race after she had choked up in her previous start and it did the trick. She is a definite contender. Her top class three-year-old stablemate Magical Wonderland will appreciate the step down to 1200m and also has a shout. Another three-year-old, Princess Peach, winner of the Grade 2 Debutante at Greyville last season will also appreciate the step down in trip. She has a tough task with Magical WonderIand on paper considering their last meeting over this trip as she is 3kg worse off despite being beaten 2,25 lengths, but she was unlucky that day. Rose In Bloom was beaten just 0,75 lengths by Magical Wonderland in the aforementioned race, which was at Durbanville, but she is now 3kg worse off. She came from a wide draw in the latter race, but so did Magical Wonderland. Shufoog is an interesting three-year-old as she has had only three starts and on the second of them was beaten just 2,65 lengths in the Sceptre. She showed a good turn of foot last time over 1000m when touched off. She might have been sent for home too soon in that race, so will likely be waited with for longer in her first attempt at 1200m.
Green Plains is the SA Fillies Nursery winner and has her third run after a layoff. Desert Rhythm is the Grade 2 Golden Slipper winner and needed her last start over 1400m. This is a sharper trip than ideal, but it’s a tough straight course which will suit her. Sommerlied is the Scottsville 1000m record holder and has her third run after a layoff. She was beaten only 1,75 lengths in the Southern Cross after kicking into the lead from a handy position. She is full of ability but two concerns are the 1200m trip on this tough course and the below par form of the Dennis Drier yard in Cape Town this season.
Jo’s Bond
The speedy Jo’s Bond showed she was effective over this trip when fourth in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint last season and she likely needed her reappearance in the Southern Cross. Anneline stayed on for a 2,5 length seventh in the Southern Cross so could earn over this more suitable trip. Nordic Breeze was a short-head further back, so has a place chance at best too. Felicity Flyer is a dark horse for a place as she will love the fast ground and is capable of a strong finish. Weston is in form but this is a big step up in class. The talented Angel’s Trumpet looks held on her three-year-old form to date, but she now wears blinkers so can’t be written off.
This is an ultra competitive renewal of the Sceptre and if there is any draw bias on the day that might play a part too. The current forecast predicts a strong wind of between 17 and 19 knots, which will play into the hands of the horses who will stay the trip. However, it is predicted to be a Southerly wind so there should be no draw bias as this is roughly a direct headwind.
It all points to a repeat of the Southern Cross finish with Just Sensual winning and Hoist The Mast and Live Life fighting out the second place. Magical Wonderland and Shufoog are the unknown quantities who could upset the applecart. Sommerlied can’t be ignored due to her class and Green Plains is another one who is tough to ignore.
In the Jamaica Handicap earlier, Silver Willow makes most appeal as a still improving four-year-old daughter of Silvano. She was unlucky when finishing strongly over course and distance last time, so will be well weighted sneaking into the handicap with the minimum 52kg. Furthermore, she has landed a plum draw and will be ridden by the top class Richard Fourie.
By David Thiselton
