Horse racing tips and best bets for the King’s Plate Festival in South Africa

Oisin Murphy features as South Africa’s finest descend on Kenilworth racecourse this weekend - with a place at Breeders’ Cup at stake. 

Sports News Blitz’s Kieran McHugh offers his suggested tips for the three Grade One races featured at the King’s Plate Festival, including the 165th running of the main event. 

The three Grade One races are all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, giving the victors a guaranteed starting spot, in their respective races, at Keenland in the USA. 

13:25 - Cartier Paddock Stakes (Grade One) - 1m1f 

The first Grade One of the card features a showdown between last year’s winner Double Grand Slam and classy two-year-old Reet Petite, who makes her debut as a three-year-old. 

Winning this would guarantee a place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in October. 

Reet Petite and Wish List made up the podium places behind Quickstepgal in the Cape Fillies Guineas in December and received a healthy portion of weight from Double Grand Slam. 

Red Palace was second in this race last year and fourth in the 2024 edition, she has to be respected. 

The same goes for Rainbow Lorikeet, who was fourth in this last year and has form with the favourite. 

That favourite being Double Grand Slam. She won this last year and has taken another Grade One since. 

She has been runner-up in another and is definitely the form horse. She is set to make Oisin Murphy’s visit to Cape Town, a winning one. 

Suggested bet: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (WIN) 

14:00 - World Pool Cape Flying Championship (Grade One) - 5f 

This might well turn into a one-horse race, with no disrespect to the other competitors. 

Asiye Phambili has a decent record at Kenilworth and comes into this off the back of a victory, which puts her bob on for this. 

Tenango has been going well and was a tad unlucky when second on Christmas Eve. He has run the favourite the closest of anyone but needs to improve again. 

Buffalo Storm Cody is that aforementioned favourite. He is one of the best sprinters in South Africa and has won at this level. 

He has won his last four and jockey, Gavin Lerena, must be relishing the opportunity to ride him again.

Should he win, it would be fascinating to see him line up in America. Can anyone convince Ka Ying Rising’s connections to fly over? 

Suggested bet: BUFFALO STORM CODY (WIN) 

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14:45 - L'Ormarins King's Plate (Grade One) - 1m 

Last but not least is the big one. The 165th running of the King’s Plate, featuring a star-studded line-up. 

Former Horse of the Year, Dave The King is present, along with the enigmatic but talented See It Again. 

Last year’s winner of the Durban July - South Africa’s biggest race - The Real Prince is also amongst the all-star cast. 

Still with me? Take a breath, we are not even at the two market principles. 

The reigning Horse of the Year, Eight on Eighteen, is bidding for his fourth Grade One. Oisin Murphy’s mount was narrowly beaten in the Durban July and arrives here off a break. 

This leaves Jan Van Goyen, the new kid on the block. He won the Cape Guineas, last time out, against all the odds and is in receipt of weight all around. 

A word also for Garrix, a smart horse in his own right. He had no luck at all last time and probably would have caught Dave the King. 

It would be a sight for any of these to line up in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. What Eight On Eighteen has done so far in his career is exemplary. 

If he can overcome the break, he is tried and tested and could get the better of his rivals. At the prices, I certainly would not discount Garrix from making the frame. 

Suggested bets: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (WIN); GARRIX (E/W)

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