The fields for the sixth annual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival, to be contested on Friday and Saturday at Kenilworth, were published on Monday afternoon.
The highlight of the two day festival will be the 161st running of the R1,5 million Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday.
Rainbow Bridge – fourth time lucky? (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The weight-for-mile hosts a field of eleven, headed by defending champion Jet Dark and the evergreen 7yo Rainbow Bridge.
South Africa’s highest rated racer, Rainbow Bridge (134) has his fourth bid for glory in the prestigious mile after placing third behind Do It Again (2019), third behind Vardy (2020) and was runner-up behind Jet Dark last year.
Jet Dark was only the second 3yo to win the race this century since Gimmethegreenlight in 2011, and Justin Snaith looks for a unique treble with Concorde Cup winning 3yo Pomp And Power lining up alongside fellow sophomore Pacaya in the Snaith quartet.
1st R937500, 2nd R300000, 3rd R150000, 4th R75000, 5th R37500
L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE (WFA) (Grade 1)
Open To Horses At Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 2 | Rainbow Bridge | 60 | 134 | A | Richard Fourie | Eric Sands | |
| 2 | 5 | Jet Dark | 60 | 130 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Justin Snaith | |
| 3 | 8 | Kommetdieding | 60 | 127 | A | Gavin Lerena | HWJ Crawford/M Rix | |
| 4 | 3 | Linebacker | 60 | 126 | A | Craig Zackey | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 5 | 4 | Seeking The Stars | 60 | 121 | BA | Bernard Fayd’Herbe | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 6 | 6 | Warrior | 60 | 108 | A | Anton Marcus | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 1 | After The Rain | 60 | 96 | A | Muzi Yeni | Gareth van Zyl | |
| 8 | 9 | Pomp And Power | 55 | 110 | A | Keagan de Melo | Justin Snaith | |
| 9 | 7 | Good Traveller | 55 | 109 | A | Morne Winnaar | Glen Kotzen | |
| 10 | 11 | Trip Of Fortune | 55 | 106 | A | Anthony Andrews | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 11 | 10 | Pacaya | 55 | 95 | A | Grant van Niekerk | Justin Snaith | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (2,6,8,11) (4,5) | ||||||||
KZN and the Eastern Cape enjoy representation in the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes, where Andre Nel’s Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Chansonette takes on the likes of the year older stars Captain’s Ransom and Princess Calla, as well as dark Horse Marina.
Chansonette – can she step up on Saturday? (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
South Africa’s premier 1800m weight-for-age race for fillies and mares was dominated by champion trainer Terrance Millard during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The late master trainer won the race on 16 occasions – most notably with champions Taima Bluff, Olympic Duel and Tecla Bluff.
1st R468750, 2nd R150000, 3rd R75000, 4th R37500, 5th R18750
CARTIER PADDOCK STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)
For Fillies & Mares at Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-6kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 8 | She’s A Keeper | 60 | 116 | A | Bernard Fayd’Herbe | Gareth van Zyl | |
| 2 | 4 | Captain’s Ransom | 59.5 | 126 | A | Richard Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
| 3 | 5 | Princess Calla | 59.5 | 118 | A | Anton Marcus | Adam Marcus | |
| 4 | 3 | Marina | 59.5 | 108 | BA | Aldo Domeyer | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 5 | 10 | Pretty Betty | 59.5 | 106 | T A | Luyolo Mxothwa | Mike Stewart | |
| 6 | 6 | Santa Therese | 59.5 | 104 | T A | Greg Cheyne | Alan Greeff | |
| 7 | 7 | Rain In Newmarket | 59.5 | 103 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Justin Snaith | |
| 8 | 1 | Chansonette | 54 | 110 | A | Grant van Niekerk | Andre Nel | |
| 9 | 9 | Kailene | 54 | 102 | A | Morne Winnaar | Glen Kotzen | |
| 10 | 2 | Jet For Time | 54 | 77 | A | Anthony Andrews | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (2,7) (4,10) | ||||||||
