The New Year kicks off in style at Kenilworth racecourse today with the 155th running of South Africa's oldest race, the R1 million G1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (WFA) over a mile.
This year's renewal boasts one of the strongest fields in years, including the G1 Vodacom Durban July winner Power King (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), the G1 Sansui Summer Cup winner Master Sabina (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) and Mike de Kock's recent G1 Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa (SAf) (Tiger Ridge), each of whom will be attempting to prevent the 2015 Horse of the Year, the Justin Snaith-trained Futura (SAf) (Dynasty{SAf}), from securing a L'Ormarins Queen's Plate double.
Also standing in Futura's way is the 2014 Horse of the Year, his stable companion Legislate (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}). With four Grade 1 wins each, the powerful duo have clashed five times, with Legislate leading the tally by three wins to two. Futura, however, ridden by regular jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe, is racing fit with a first-up second over the course and distance, in the G2 Green Point S. Nov. 21, while Legislate, with Piere Strydom in the saddle has not raced for 23 weeks.
Futura will jump from barrier two, while Legislate drew barrier six. Justin Snaith is confident of a victory, but even the astute trainer is unsure as to which one of the two he is likely to be leading into the winner's circle.
Another who is race-fit is the Brett Crawford-trained winner of the 2015 G1 HF Horse Chestnut S. over a mile at Turffontein, Captain America (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}). Despite five losses to Legislate early on in his career, the 5-year-old gelding has blossomed with age and is very capable of repeating his convincing victory over Futura in the recent Green Point S. Captain America will jump from barrier 10 with stable jockey Corne Orffer in the saddle.
The only horse in the field not shouldering a hefty 60kgs (132 pounds) is the recent G1 Cape Guineas winner, Noah From Goa. Three-year-old Queen's Plate winners are rare, but with five victories from six starts and a 5kg advantage, Noah From Goa, with Anthony Delpech in the irons, could add his name to that list.
Last year's champion trainer Sean Tarry has thrown his G1 SA Derby winner into the mix and with a merit rating of 120, Legal Eagle (SAf) (Greys Inn) heads the field. Despite having won a maiden over 1600m, Legal Eagle prefers a longer trip and the Queen's Plate is likely to be a prep run for the 2000m G1 J & B Met in three weeks' time (Nov. 30).
The L'Ormarins Queen's Plate features as the ninth race on Kenilworth's 12-race card.
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