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.
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:
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.
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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