The Real Prince rules in King’s Plate
The Real Prince s/s 108 snuck home to win the
King’s Plate in a thriller over
Questioning s/s 108 and a stiff,
See It Again s/s 107.
Dave the King ensured a strong gallop – none of the horses immediately chasing him (
Legal Counsel and
Jan van Goyen) could keep going. Instead, it was
Sail the Seas s/s 107 who moved into contention from fourth position with
The Real Prince and
Questioning making moves from further back in midfield.
They fought out a nip and tuck decision with fastest finisher,
See It Again jinking through past tiring horses then switching out and so nearly pulling off a miraculous win. He appears rejuvenated and is a big runner for the
Met.
The Real Prince is a testimony to Dean Kannemeyer’s conditioning skills. In need of the run on comeback at the
Green Point Stakes, Kannemeyer worked on his charge’s fitness and a sharp 800m sprint up in the build up to the
King’s Plate neatly rounded off preparations so that
The Real Prince could handle the rigors of a fast run G1 mile.
Wish List s/s 105 took out a hard run,
Paddock Stakes, the test of stamina playing to her strengths. She was ridden bravely by Andrew Fortune to sneak down the rail and edge the very game
Reet Petite s/s 105 (another serious 3YO talent for the notebook) and
Rainbow Lorikeet s/s 104.
Dean Smith, who has taken over after the sad passing of his father, Gavin, pulled off an exceptional G1 victory with Eastern Cape sprinter,
Kingdundee s/s 105. He went start to finish in the
Cape Flying Champs and though
I am Giant and
Outlaw King tried to cut into his lead, he kept to his task under an assertive, finely judged ride by Calvin Habib at a starting price of 33/1.
Gimme What I Want s/s 98 ++ is a sprinting filly with a bright future. She stormed through down the inner, (that man Fortune again working his wizardry) to mug long time leader,
Quickstepgal on the post in the
Sceptre Stakes.
Oisin Murphy dictated terms on
Okavango s/s 99 + in a slow run
Premier’s Trophy and never looked in any danger after strolling to a comfortable lead, then quickening up to score.
Third placed,
Regulation did not get the race run to suit. He would have preferred a stronger pace and being held up in a pocket down much of the straight was also no help. He is worth another chance when things set up better.
The juvenile
Champagne Castle s/s 99 really impressed in the opener. A number that high is rare for 2YO’s so she should be followed till beaten.
Bio: Mark van Deventer has been refining his speed figures for thoroughbred racehorses over three decades. A full-time racing journalist since 2013, he’s known for his integrity and imaginative handicapping, adapting the principles of Andrew Beyer’s figures to South African racecourses.
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