KING'S PLATE RACE DAY - SATURDAY 10TH JAN 2026

The improver in the main race(King's Plate) must be Jan Van Rayen.
Impressive winner of the Cape Guineas and looks the one to be on.

Thanks Ptahotep - sure there is an explanation of your pseudonym - if only they would run on PAPER, as opposed to on the Kenilworth turf 

My thoughts .....

R1: Obviously Champagne Castle is the logical one - but any of the first-timers could be a bomb (and they need to included in the first leg of the JP, as the first-timers rule does not apply for JPs) - and any of the colts that raced can improve enough to beat CC; still most logical would be CC ....

R2: Very open - a fact that seems to be enhanced by the 'Best Weighted' column where Lock and Key is the top choice with AlltheboysIveloved - who both are at the bottom of the betting boards - I'm GUESSING that Sohot Sowhat (won twice and placed from 4 starts over this trip) would make the necessary improvement to at least find a place

R3: Handicap - so most would have a chance; betting support for Follow Your Heart at 9/2, but half of the field is trading at 9/1 or lower - load up.

R4: Sceptre Stakes, so we should have some idea from the 'Best Weighted' column headed by Mon Petit Cherie - but she has only won over this distance once - beating 4 other competitors, so I am guessing she is better further; Mia Moo seems very capable (but she had to travel to Cape Town, so ....); Symphony in White with Roccapina (needed her last run) also have a chance 

R5: I make this a 2-horse war between Native Ruler and Okavango; others to consider might be Regulation, Zeitz, Major Master and the visitor The Equator

R6: Double Grand Slam stands out; the 3 yr-olds Reet Petite and Wish List gets the 3-yr old allowance but it does not seem big enough - this race will show 

R7: Cape Flying, where many horses (including Tenango and even Asiye Phambile seem better over 1200); AP at least won last time over 1000m, but imo it was a fast pace enabling her to get up; Buffalo Storm Cody ticks many boxes, but he had to travel; same goes for Truth (who might have a chance on a line through Karate Kid) while imo Constellation is outclassed

R8: The big one, where luck in running will determine the outcome; I don't think Jan van Goyen receiving only 5 kgs from the likes of Dave the King, Eight on Eighteen, See It Again, The Real Prince, Gladatorian etc would be enough; DtK looks a big price, EoE might still need the run and I believe his aim is the MET; SIA - will he behave; TRP might be better this trip and imo a big runner with Gladatorian (who last time had his first start around this turn); Garrix - must have chance on his last run - many questions ?

R9: Chairmans Cup over 2500, interesting that the 'Best Weighted' column is topped by World of Alice (even with the 1 kg additional weight courtesy of Zackey); she almost won the Oaks at Turffontein (and should have won as she lost 2 lengths at the start) and is now the same rating given the additional kg - so must have a chance; Holding Thumbs always consistent but does need to give WoA 7,5 kgs; not a lot between the Snaith runners and any could pop up on the day; Daimyo imo has to find a few lengths at the weights 

R10: Best bet imo comes up in the form of Delta Pride; mainly because he is geting a lot of weight (and he has a fair draw of 5) from Beware and Roland Garros.

Enjoy   
   

Thanks Frodo, your insight always appreciated. 

My value bets are in my comp selections. I thought Fortune gave See It Again a gentle ride, considering where he cam from and still looked like he had a bit in hand at the finish. My pick today....

In the 1st I like World Series. Seems like good ew value at around 8/1

Greg Bortz makes Roland Garros in 10th best bet of day if you need your money 💰 back 

Kiartay for me in the 1st 

Bloody hell ..... this commentator is very very poor. Last 300m's tell the audience what is unfolding ... but he is waffling away about the one in front with hyperbole that would make Donald Trump proud

Fast run baby race.
Class Record from 2 years ago beaten was 58.56 now 58.28
One stripe ran 5th on that race.

well Justin Snaith got the start he hoped for..........  Hoping we can   SEE IT AGAIN    after R8.

nice start to get yankees, Trixie  going !!

Race 2 also a class record
was 71.35 Great Cat now 70.77 Pink Pigeon

In race 2 had the two 40-1s as a swinger #s 3,4 - pity they ran 4th and 5th but fortunately picked up the R16 swinger in Race 1 to cover much of my layout. Course is running fast it seems. 

Bwandon you are a ku%t !!!! I had a massive bet on Quickstepgal, what do you say to sum it up , that was fantastic to watch ( in other words the Candyman on a 20/1 shot betting up to beat a joint fav ) ..... for once in your life try and consider what you say and think about the community as a whole , what a tool you are.