King's Plate meeting looks a real thriller

Jack Milner

Cape Guineas champion Charles Dickens remains a short-priced favourite to bag the R2-million L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Candice-Bass Robinson-trained three-year-old is currently quoted at 11-20 while Jet Dark, who is looking for a third successive victory in this Grade 1 race, is on offer at 9-2.

Bettors are in for a great day’s entertainment with two Grade 1 races, as well as two Grade 2 events and a Grade 3 race.

The other Grade 1 race is the Cartier Paddock Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m while the Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m for fillies and mares and the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m are the Grade 2 races. The Grade 3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup over 2500m is Race 10 and closes the meeting.

There are some wonderful opportunities for punters, starting off with R1-million added to kick off the Pick 6 pool which is likely to reach R6 million.

In addition, there is a bonus for all TAB online customers who will get 10% back on their first 10 bets placed on the King’s Plate Race Day.

This offer is applicable to TAB online customers only so it will benefit people who don’t have an account to open one immediately.

T&Cs apply.

While there is a lot of focus on the King’s Plate, the Paddock Stakes looks an extraordinary contest in which five of the eight runners are Grade 1 winners. Equus Horse-Of-The-Year and

defending champion Captain’s Ransom has been priced up as the 1-1 favourite and Justin Snaith’s charge fully deserves her spot at the top of the betting boards.

But she will be meeting Hollywoodbets Durban July champion Sparkling Water for the first time and Mike de Kock’s charge is certainly no slouch.

The balance of the field includes Grade 2 Gold Bracelet champion Marina, who is getting better with age, Grade 1 Fillies Guineas winner Make It Snappy, reigning Triple Tiara champion Rain In Holland and Woolavington 2000 winner Silver Darling.

Current betting on the Grade 1 and Grade 2 races.

L’Ormarins King’s Plate

11-20 Charles Dickens

9-2 Jet Dark

11-2 Kommetdieding

16-1 Golden Ducat, Trip Of Fortune

25-1 Linebacker

40-1 Zapatillas, Waterbury Lane

66-1 Speed Machine, Al Muthana, Russian Rock

Cartier Paddock Stakes

1-1 Captain's Ransom

7-2 Sparkling Water

9-2 Marina

6-1 Make It Snappy

10-1 Rain In Holland

16-1 Silver Darling

20-1 Echo Of Life

50-1 Hold My Hand

Cartier Sceptre Stakes

28-10 Princess Calla

11-2 Ciao Bella

6-1 Desert Miracle

7-1 Santa Maria

16-1 Kwinta’s Light, Time Fo Orchids, Stiptelik, Golden Hostess, Live My Life

20-1 and upwards others

Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy

33-10 Universal

6-1 Do It Again

7-1 Nexus, Rascallion

8-1 Warrior

10-1 Silvano's Timer

12-1 Pomp And Power, Gem King

14-1 Winchester Mansions

16-1 Nebraas, Silver Host, Airways Law, Future Prince