Alistair Cohen

 

One of the world’s great race days is the L’Ormarins Kings Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Weight For Age 1600m event is one of three races on the card which carries a ticket for the Breeders Cup. As always, it has attracted a stacked field packed with Grade 1 winners. Last year saw the boom three-year-old One Stripe graduate from the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas to this great race and the same sequence is taken by Jan Van Goyen.

With 55kg on his back by virtue of being a three-year-old, this son of Master Of My Fate is seeking his third Grade 1 victory. His season has given the impression that he should peak for this race. His first run after a four-month spell produced a cracking second behind Trust in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans at Turffontein over 1600m in November. Two weeks later, he took the roughly 16 hour roadtrip to Cape Town and he trotted up in the Guineas beating Happy Verse 2,75 lengths over this course and distance.

That win took his price in this race from double figures to 2/1 favourite. He stayed in Cape Town over the month duration between races. Mike and Mathew de Kock train Jan Van Goyen and there is always a doubt about whether a horse can back up a performance two runs apart after travelling. If any team can pull it off, it is the De Kock’s. Crucially, Callan Murray had the choice of rides with the former Horse Of The Year, Dave The King. He chose Jan Van Goyen.

The Real Prince is a brilliant horse in his own right. He must be a live chance. He won the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July earlier this year, proving his capabilities at the highest level. He had a quiet reintroduction in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes over 1600m when behind a few of his rivals here. He will improve in bounds from that last run when 2,5 lengths behind Dave The King. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride.

Dave The King is also tried and tested and successful at Grade 1 Weight For Age level. His last win was full of merit with the race not being run to suit. He loves to cruise in the lead but he had early heat from Snow Pilot who faded away at the top of the straight so he was exposed and had to gallop relentlessly to the line. He was empty at the end but he is tough to pass when he gets in the mood. Ryan Munger takes the ride for Team de Kock.

Reigning Horse Of The Year, Eight On Eighteen makes his seasonal reappearance under Oisin Murphy. He has had a gallop at the course to brush off the cobwebs, having been rested since July. He should step forward with this run under his belt and be a true force in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on 31 January. But champions can overcome the odds and he would not be a shock winner.

All of Gladatorian, See It Again and Garrix are capable of winning high class races and they have to be respected.

The Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m is race 6 and also qualifies the winner for a trip to the Breeders Cup. Double Grand Slam won this race last year. She is the best filly in the country and she gets the services of Murphy for Justin Snaith. Her win from a break was hard-fought, perhaps more of a stretch than expected because Swiatek ran her to a short head. If at her best, Double Grand Slam should have no issues taking out her third career Grade 1 victory.

Rainbow Lorikeet ran flat last time but her yard of Candice Bass had turned for the better. She is best suited to this trip so she could be the main danger. Reet Petite is a top filly in the making. She is a three-year-old so she carries only 54kg. She should stay this trip. She ran second in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas in her last run which was the fourth in her career. That race should bring her on a long way. Minogue gets a mention. She is in the form of her life. Muzi Yeni drops her in and her finishing efforts are encouraging. If she can unlock that big late effort, she could be climbing all over them.

The other Breeders Cup qualifying race is the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m. Buffalo Storm Cody is the highest-rated horse in the country, off 132. He also has to travel from Johannesburg. Tony Peter trains him. He is easily the best horse in the race. He won the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint in July, showing his value. He has a couple of issues to overcome. He might be a fraction better over 1200m. Plus, the entire circumstances and the course are foreign to him. If they go fast enough, he will be running them down.

Truth has been aimed at this race for six months. He had a run two weeks earlier when he gave a ton of weight to Taxi To The Moon in the Grade 3 Betway Lebelo Sprint over this distance at Turffontein. He finished second, less than a length behind. Ryan Munger takes the ride for Candice and Tammy Dawson.

Tenango also had a pleasing prep two and a half weeks ago when he gave chunks of weight to Elusive Winter and finished second over this course and distance. He too could be more effective over 1200m but he is packed with class and he is among the most improved horses in the country over the last six months.

Champagne Castle could win race 1 over 1000m in a wildly open event. She looked impressive when winning her last start by 2,25 lengths over this course and distance. There are a few likely improvers so it will not be as easy but she looks solid and wise so she could have the tools in the Charles Dickens Stakes.

Pink Pigeon is due a reward for consistency in race 2 over 1200m. Trainer Justin Snaith has always held this filly in high regard but perhaps left him frustrated that winning does not come easily. She should go close again if she does not win.

A stab is taken on Follow Your Heart in race 3 over 1200m. He has always hinted at a fair amount of ability but not given much away on raceday. His last effort was encouraging when he finished third behind Gold Giboski over this course and distance. He has been sparingly raced with three runs since May. He should be a fitter horse now and he should provide some value in an open race. Andrew Fortune rides for Bass.

Mia Moo won brilliantly at Turffontein in late November when she won the Magnolia Stakes over 1160m. She was drawn on the wrong side of the course and found gaps in a maximum field to stride away from Almond Sea. She is a Grade 1 winner when she saluted in the SA Fillies Sprint in June. She looks hard to beat in the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, race 4. Oisin Murphy is up for Sean Tarry.

Regulation is truly in the swing of things as he seeks a hat-trick of wins in race 5, the Anthonij Rupert Premiers Trophy over 1800m. Halted by wind problems, that issue was sorted out during a break between winter and summer. He suddenly looks like a contender to compete at the highest level. His last win was hard fought when he got the better of Major Master late. He might have run flat being his second run after a long break. He could have the goods to do the job.

Holding Thumbs is such a gallant solider for Glen Kotzen and he could earn another massive win in race 9, the Cape Of Good Hope Chairmans Cup over 2500m. Somehow he got across the line most tenaciously last time when he shouldered 63,5kg to beat Ahead Of The Facts when the runner-up had him beaten at the 100m. That heart is admirable and for that reason, he is hard to write off. He meets Ahead Of The Facts on 1,5kg  better terms too.

Roland Garros could be a very smart 1400m horse in the making. He runs over that trip in race 10. His last run in the Cape Guineas was encouraging ending up 4,45 lengths behind Jan Van Goyen.

RACE 1

2 SWEET GREEN was heavily backed in the market when finishing second on debut, she ran a cracker behind Catwalk King on the 6th of December up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, with natural improvement expected from this well-bred filly, she will be hard to beat. 10 CHAMPAGNE CASTLE won a good race on the 13th of December, she quickened away from her field like a nice filly in the making, she could be anything, include her into all bets. 5 CATWALK KING finished like a train to beat Sweet Green impressively last time, he is a lovely colt with a beautiful action, watch him closely, he will be running on strongly late. 6 AFRICAN WILD DOG is well bred, jockey Andrew Fortune has been booked to ride this colt on debut, watch him move to the gates, and watch the market closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 10 – 5 – 6)

 

RACE 2

13 VROOM VROOM sprinted away from her field to win a super race on the 10th of December, even though this race is a big step up in class for her, she has no weight on her back, and she looks very progressive, she will run a huge race. 1 SHESGOTCLASS stayed on well to win a good race on the 21st of December, she was given three points for that win, she is exceptionally fast, on her best form, she will make them all work hard for victory. 2 MISS WORLD ran a cracker in the Grade 3 Southern Cross Stakes on the 6th of December, she was only beaten just over two lengths by Asiye Phambili, her sprinting form is good, she must have a nice place chance in this field. 10 PINK PIGEON never runs a bad race, she was caught very late last time, she ran second behind Catch A Penny on the 6th of December, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride, she will go close to winning. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 1 – 2 – 10)

 

RACE 3

13 IRELAND FOREVER won a good race over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 22nd of November, he was given four points for that impressive win, he will be switched off early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely at a decent price. 3 MAURITIUS KESTREL finally got his head back in front last time, it was a good ride from jockey Craig Zackey on the 13th of December, he was given three points for beating a decent field, if he brings that run to the track again on Saturday, he will be competitive. 9 AZZURRI was doing some good work late for second behind Mauritius Kestrel last time, his form of late is very good, he will be right there in the finish, include him into all bets. 8 FOLLOW YOUR HEART ran a much better race behind Gold Giboski on the 3rd of December, he ran third and was only beaten two lengths at the line, he is a young horse that will keep improving with every start. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 3 – 9 – 8)

 

RACE 4

10 QUICKSTEPGAL won the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas impressively on the 6th of December, she was given six points for that win, she is packed with class and ability, even though she drops in trip for this Grade 2 event on Saturday, she will run a big race. 1 MON PETIT CHERIE is much better than her run last time in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, ignore that completely, she drops back in trip to 1200m, if she bounces back to her best form, she will be very hard to beat. 13 PRINCESS OF GAUL ran a great race in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas behind Quickstep Gal, she ran fourth and was only beaten just over two lengths at the line, she should love the drop in trip to 1200m, include her into all bets, she will be storming home late. 2 MIA MOO finished powerfully to win the Listed Carry On Alice Stakes well at Turffontein Racecourse on the 29th of November, she is very good, she will get some cover early, and she will be running on strongly late. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 1 – 13 – 2)

 

RACE 5

2 REGULATION won the Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap in good fashion on the 13th of December, he was given six points for that victory, he is a lovely gelding with a huge action, from a neat draw, he will go close to winning again. 3 ZEITZ travelled really well in his race last time, he finished third behind Regulation on the 13th of December, the blinkers have been fitted, he should be cherry ripe to run a cracker, include him into all bets. 10 MAJOR MASTER finished second in the same race as Regulation and Zeitz at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, the bad draw is not a worry at all, he wants to be ridden quietly, and he will unleash a big finish late. 1 NATIVE RULER ran a fair race in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, he was only beaten just over two lengths by Dave The King, from a good draw, he should get the perfect run, there is no doubt that he has the class to be competitive in a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 10 – 1)

 

RACE 6

5 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM won a cheeky race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 22nd of November, it was a great ride by jockey Andrew Fortune, she is a superstar, she is packed with tons of class and ability, she will be very hard to beat again. 4 RAINBOW LORIKEET stayed on well for second behind Sukhumvit in the Grade 3 Victress Stakes on the 13th of December, this will be her third run back after a small break, she will run a big race, include her into all bets. 1 REET PETITE tried really hard in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas on the 6th of December, she ran second behind Quickstepgal, she is a classy filly that is still improving, she will love the step up in trip to 1800m, watch her closely from a good draw. 7 SUKHUMVIT quickened away from her field impressively last time, she won the Grade 3 Victress Stakes with absolute ease, she was given six points for that win, if she brings that run to the track again on Saturday, she might be hard to fetch late. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 4 – 1 – 7)

 

RACE 7

13 BUFFALO STORM CODY quickened up smartly to win a good race at the Vaal on the 11th of December, he is very good, there is no doubt that he is one of the best sprinters in South Africa, it’s great to have him in Cape Town, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be powering home late, on his current form, he will be hard to beat. 5 ASIYE PHAMBILI was impressive in the Grade 3 Southern Cross Stakes on the 6th of December, she absolutely loves the straight track at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, watch her closely, she will be eating up the ground late. 1 TENANGO should be cherry ripe for this Grade 1 event, he was doing some good work late for second behind Elusive Winter on the 24th of December, if the gaps open at the right time, he will be right there in the finish. 4 O’TENIKWA stayed on well for third behind Outlaw King in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants on the 13th of December, he will be a much fitter horse going into this race, he could trouble them all at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 5 – 1 – 4)

 

RACE 8

2 JAN VAN GOYEN showed his class in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas on the 13th of December, even though the race didn’t go according to plan, he still managed to make light work of a good field, he looks to be a superstar in the making, from a good draw, he definitely has a big winning chance again. 1 DAVE THE KING showed tremendous heart to win a gutsy race last time, he likes to race on speed, from a good draw, he could be hard to fetch late. 8 GARRIX had absolutely no luck in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes on the 13th of December, the gaps didn’t open at the right time, and he was flying late for second behind Dave The King, just on ability alone, he can win a race like this. 7 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN has been rested for 189 days, he ran a terrific race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on the 5th of July, he is the class package, if he doesn’t need this run after a long break, he could be hard to beat. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 8 – 7)

 

RACE 9

8 AHEAD OF THE FACTS stayed on well for second behind Holding Thumbs in the Listed Cape Summer Stayers Handicap on the 6th of December, unfortunately he was given three points for that effort, he looks to be a progressive stayer in the making, he will go close to winning with no weight on his back. 4 HOLDING THUMBS showed tremendous heart to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 6th of December, he was given four points for that win, he stays well, and he tries hard, he can definitely win again. 7 MASTER OF PARIS quickened up beautifully to win a good race on the 3rd of December, he never runs a bad race, and he has no weight on his back, he could be dangerous for the places at a fair price. 5 TRIPLE TIME ran a much better race last time, he ran third behind Holding Thumbs, if he can build on that performance, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 7 – 5)

 

RACE 10

5 MENTE ET MANU won a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, he was given three points for that win, he looks progressive, and he should love the drop in trip to 1400m, from a good draw, he can win again. 2 ROLAND GARROS ran a fair race in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas on the 13th of December, he only finished just over four lengths behind Jan Van Goyen, the drop in trip to 1400m will help his chances, include him into all bets. 1 BEWARE is much better than his last run, ignore that completely, if he bounces back to his best form from a perfect draw, he can win a race like this. 13 TOUCHED BY ANGELS won impressively on the 6th of December, he was given five points for that victory, if he gets some luck in running from a poor draw, he could be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 1 – 13)

RACE 1

(2) TERMINAL VELOCITY is holding consistent form and must be respected in this field. (4) MONT TREMBLANT ran extremely well in his last start and will give the top selection plenty to think about, include in all bets. (1) TWO FOR THE BOYS hasn’t been far and can get closer. (3) AETHELWULF is another who is always in the mix and can get involved, include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 2-4-1-3).

RACE 2

(3) GREAT NOTION is in top form and will be the firm first selection. (4) HAPPY WIVES won a gutsy race in the last start and could challenge so needs to be respected. (5) KINGS AGAIN is holding consistent form and another honest run is expected. (1) SMASHING is another who is never far back and will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 3-4-5-1).

RACE 3

(6) KING RAHUL has been racing well and gets the claimer up which brings him right into this. (1) WAROFDYNAMITE is holding solid form and gets the claiming apprentice aboard hence he must be respected. (5) CADENZA had a tough draw in the last start and now gets a much better draw, he will be there. (7) NOTORIX is capable on his day and can go into larger perms. (Devonne Govender 6-1-5-7).

RACE 4

(1) CLIFFIE CLAVIN is holding consistent form and cracks the ace draw, massive runner here. (3) WARRIOR’S SWORD ran well on provincial debut and will build on that, include in everything. (2) BUGLE is capable of running into the money so needs to be respected. (4) BLAME IT ON ME has an eye catching jockey booking, he now goes 1400m and is certainly one that can win this. (Devonne Govender 1-3-2-4).

RACE 5

(5) ANDY COOGLE has been impressive in both his recent wins and is expected to go close again. (4) SILVONIAN is another who is in top form and in with a bright chance. (6) FRENCH FLAME has been consistent and must be included in all bets. (2) MR FOX is very capable on his day and can challenge here but has a big weight to shoulder. (Devonne Govender 5-4-6-2).

RACE 6

(5) RHYTHM is holding solid KZN form and will be a strong contender in this line up respectfully. (1) AADEHYA is very capable over this trip and will be a big runner here, respect. (4) GENERAL PARDON won impressively when exiting the maiden ranks and has scope to go well. (7) FLIGHT ENGINEER hasn’t been far and can get into the placings. (Devonne Govender 5-1-4-7).

RACE 7

Open race. (3) ROYAL CITY GIRL is holding consistent form and rates a strong winning chance. (1) FAMILY POWER returns after a break but if fit will be tough to beat here. (6) WHITE WATERS is in top form, she won a gutsy race in her last start and should be right there again. (2) EXQUISITE won well in her last start and is another that can challenge here. (Devonne Govender 3-1-6-2).

RACE 8

(6) LADY BOMBER is holding excellent form, she won well in her last start and could prove tough to beat. (4) JAMBO SANA is a very honest type and another good run can be expected. (3) SAIGON SUZIE ran a cracker in her last start and will be a big challenger if repeating that performance. (5) UMZOLOZOLO is capable of better and can run into the money. (Devonne Govender 6-4-3-5).

Soccer10 Friday 9 January 2026. ADD-IN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 21h00.Sport 8 and Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 10 January 2026. Carryover R100 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 19h30.Sport 4 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 10 January 2026. ADD-IN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 17h00.Sport 14 and Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 10 January 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 14h15. Sport 13 and Pool 1

Soccer13 Guaranteed Jackpot Saturday 10 January 2026. R17.5 Million (if only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer SCORES C/Over: R 104 322. Saturday 10 January 2026. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 73.

Soccer CORNERS C/Over: R 2 187. Saturday 10 January 2026. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 74.

World Pools will be offered on races 1-10.

World Pools will be on the Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella and Exacta.

Betting will open on Friday 9 January 2026.