A Right Royal Showdown Looms On 6 January

Can the Aussie-bred gelding do it again?

The Maingards celebrate Al Muthana’s victory in the 2023 L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

Ricky Maingard and Bernard Fayd’herbe return to defend their L’Ormarins King’s Plate title at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 January 2024 as the Australian-bred 6yo Al Muthana bids to repeat his shock victory of a year ago.

A field of 13 was declared on Thursday for the 163rd renewal of South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile, and boasts five runners from the powerful Justin Snaith yard, including recent Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner, Snow Pilot, and another Cape Guineas winner in Double Superlative.

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While Al Muthana has a draw to beat and has not quite repeated his herculean effort to clinch the L’Ormarins King’s Plate by a nose last year, the rematch between 2023 runner-up Charles Dickens and recent WSB Gr2 Green Point Stakes winner See It Again looks the key to finding the 2024 winner.

See It Again comprehensively walloped the Cape star in the Green Point, although there were suggestions that the Bass galloper would be a fitter opponent come 6 January.

The final field:

R2 000 000 1600m 16:10 Ref-282
1st R1187500, 2nd R380000, 3rd R190000, 4th R95000, 5th R47500, RCIS R100000
L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE (WFA) (Grade 1)
Open To Horses At Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1 1 Cosmic Highway 60 111 A Craig Zackey Dean Kannemeyer
2 2 Snow Pilot 55 116 A Juan Paul v’d Merwe Justin Snaith
3 3 Anfields Rocket 60 117 A Luyolo Mxothwa Brett Crawford
4 4 See It Again 60 132 BA Piere Strydom Michael Roberts
5 5 Montien 60 105 A Anthony Andrews Piet Botha
6 6 Countdown 60 108 A Raymond Danielson Glen Kotzen
7 7 Charles Dickens 60 132 A Aldo Domeyer Candice Bass-Robinson
8 8 Speed Machine 60 106 A Craig Bantam Justin Snaith
9 9 King Regent 60 115 A Gavin Lerena Glen Kotzen
10 10 Hluhluwe 55 111 A Grant van Niekerk Justin Snaith
11 11 Double Superlative 60 118 A Richard Fourie Justin Snaith
12 12 Al Muthana (AUS) 60 128 A Bernard Fayd’Herbe Ricky Maingard
13 13 Royal Aussie 60 118 A Muzi Yeni Justin Snaith
Same Trainer
(2,8,10,11,13) (6,9)

A fascinating cross-generational clash is set to unfold in the R1 million Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes, where reigning SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla takes on a strong field, including recent WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas sensation, Beach Bomb.

While only seven will line up, the race includes Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas runner-up and WSB Cape Town Met entrant, Red Palace.

R1 000 000 1800m 15:25 Ref-281
1st R593750, 2nd R190000, 3rd R95000, 4th R47500, 5th R23750, RCIS R50000
CARTIER PADDOCK STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)
For Fillies & Mares at Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-6kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1 1 Happy Chance 59.5 109 Ae Luyolo Mxothwa Brett Crawford
2 2 Red Palace 54 108 A Anthony Andrews Candice Bass-Robinson
3 3 Princess Calla 60 127 A Richard Fourie Sean Tarry
4 4 Beach Bomb 54 117 A Juan Paul v’d Merwe Candice Bass-Robinson
5 5 Love Is A Rose 59.5 99 TBA Bernard Fayd’Herbe Greg Ennion
6 6 Royals 54 103 A Muzi Yeni Glen Kotzen
7 7 Saartjie 59.5 110 A Corne Orffer Andre Nel
Same Trainer
(2,4)

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