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HOW THEY SHAPE UP IN THE
L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE
Horseracing pundit Jack Milner takes a close look at the
13 runners engaged for the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
1
COSMIC HIGHWAY
60
kg
Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer Jockey: Craig Zackey
DRAW 1
Came back to his best with a victory in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m
last time, but has yet to win over this distance. He is likely to find this opposition
far too tough and will do well to finish in the money.
Career: 19 Runs; 5 Wins; 7 Places; Earnings: R1,111,850
5
MONTIEN
60
kg
Trainer: Piet Botha Jockey: Anthony Andrews
DRAW 5
An honest performer who always gives his best, but looks out of his depth in this
company. He would need to run well above his merit rating just to finish in the
top four as he is the lowest-rated runner in the field and is 13.5kg out with the
top two on handicap ratings.
Career: 11 Runs; 4 Wins; 5 Places; Earnings: R509,137
2
SNOW PILOT
55
kg
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: JP van der Merwe
DRAW 2
Showed his true class with a victory in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas over this
course and distance last time out and is clearly getting better with every
outing. The strength of the Guineas field has been questioned, but a horse
can do no more than win. He’s taking on the best in the land this time and we
will know how good he is after the race.
Career: 9 Runs; 2 Wins; 7 Places; Earnings: R1,453,525
6
COUNTDOWN
Trainer: Glen Kotzen Jockey: Raymond Danielson
DRAW 6
Another runner who looks to be making up the numbers. This four-year-old
Gimmethegreenlight gelding is not only poorly weighted under the weightfor-age
conditions, but it’s questionable whether he’s fully effective over the
distance, despite winning a seven-horse Juvenile Plate over 1600m.
60
kg
Career: 20 Runs; 4 Wins; 6 Places; Earnings: R518,850
3
ANFIELDS ROCKET
60
kg
Trainer: Brett Crawford Jockey: Louie Mxothwa
DRAW 3
This Coup De Grace gelding was a top three-year-old which he proved when
winning the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein. Since then he has lost
some of his gloss but perhaps a change of trainer will make a difference. Based
on form he has to improve markedly to threaten any of the top runners, but could
place if back to best.
Career: 14 Runs; 6 Wins; 2 Places; Earnings: R1,478,125
7
CHARLES DICKENS
60
kg
Trainer: Candice Bass-Robinson Jockey: Aldo Domeyer
DRAW 7
The joint highest-rated horse in the country suffered his first career defeat
in last year’s King’s Plate when finishing 0.20 lengths behind Al Muthana.
His other two career defeats were both at the hooves of See It Again, and
with both those runners re-opposing, this son of Trippi will have to be at his
absolute best to record a 10th career win.
Career: 12 Runs; 9 Wins; 3 Places. Earnings: R3,932,312
4
SEE IT AGAIN
60
kg
Trainer: Michael Roberts Jockey: Piere Strydom
DRAW 4
Together with Charles Dickens he is the highest-rated runner in the country. He
put Charles Dickens’ claim to being the best miler in the country to the sword
when beating him in the Green Point Stakes over this course and distance last
time and one would expect these two to fight out the finish again. However,
the Cape Met is his main mission and he’s better at 2000m than 1600m.
Career: 13 Runs; 6 Wins; 5 Places; Earnings: R3,661,875
8
SPEED MACHINE
60
kg
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Craig Bantam
DRAW 8
The last horse home in last year’s King’s Plate has not done much since to
suggest that he will offer more of a threat this time round. It’s been 18 months
since he last tasted success, and having not featured over this distance, it’s
hard to imagine him finishing in the money.
Career: 33 Runs; 5 Wins; 12 Places. Earnings: R402,275
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