Queen’s Plate 2020 Tips, Race Schedule And Previews
The Cape horse racing season is climaxing, and the most stylish event of the year is upon us. Heading to the course or watching at home, our preview and betting tips have you covered.
The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival runs Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January at Kenilworth Racecourse, although the premium day is Saturday. There are 4 stellar Graded races on the card, and we’ve put together a guide to help you through a day at the races.
Click on each race to reveal our preview and tips
Race 1
The opener on Queen’s Plate day is a work riders race, giving the guys doing the hard graft for the trainers a chance to showcase their skills. By no means a write-off, it can be tough to consider jockey form since they hardly get a real race ride.
Tip: – On paper, this is the standout. All three of its races to date have been good runs, and have produced plenty follow up winners, enough to frank its form. The price won’t be enticing, but look to double this into a horse later in the day that you fancy.
Race 2
It’s around halfway through the racing season, so we’re starting to see more 2 year olds starting their careers. This juvenile plate makes for tricky tipping, with 4 of the 8 runners making their debuts. Following the money is suggested, but let’s have a go a picking out an early winner.
Tip: – With just the one run to date, its tough to call it a good thing. Despite running behind Stuck On You it was well fancied and stable elect jockey, Richard Fourie, retains the ride. Based on this you have to assume its the Snaith yard’s best bet for this race, and he normally has his juveniles well prepped.
Race 3
A maiden plate with a few candidates knocking on the door. With a fairly open field it’s a good chance to find some value if you don’t fancy those at shorter prices. There an expensive colt in Namaqualand topping the boards at the moment, but not having raced in 100 days could be a concern. Betting odds movements may disprove that.
TIP: – This looks to be good value at the current odds of around 6.50. Come race day this may not be available any longer, but theres a lot to like about this gelding. Two very impressive 2nds in its last two runs means its cherry ripe, the only concern would be the draw. At current odds you can get over even money a place, so an each way bet is advised.
Race 4
Despite not being one of the graded races on the day, this field has nothing average about it. Some of these runners have graded race experience and wins, the only concern for them would be the days off the track between races. It looks to be a case of prep runs for the top guns and a chance for the upcoming talent to make an impact.
TIP: – I can’t see anything outside the top 4 in the betting winning. That quartet will be hard to separate, but if Kasimir is anything as good as its run in the Mercury Sprint, it should have this in the bag. Let’s hope the 6 months off isn’t too long a rest for this 5 year old gelding.
Race 5 - Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2)
A lot of these horses will be using this race to get inclusion into the Met, which runs at the beginning of February. There’s a good mix of local form as well as hopeful raider from other provinces all looking to get noticed. This is still a Grade 2, nothing to sniff at, so know that none of these entries will be using this as a prep run.
TIP: – There’s no stand out fancies at this stage, beside the Justin Snaith runner Belgarion. This gelding has standout course form, and if it has as much potential as its shown thus far, looks to be well weighted against older and more experienced opposition. Richard Fourie will have this race lined up, and the power combo of him and Snaith are easy to back at current odds of 3.50.
Race 6 - Paddock Stakes (Grade 1)
A field of fillies with most rated well over 100 is likely to produce a thrilling race. The 1800m trip is likely to test some fancied horses who have yet to run the distance. Experience beats class in my book, and I will be looking to beat the favourite, who deserve its merit rating but can’t be followed at such a short price.
TIP: – This Joburg based filly was fairly well backed in the Summer Cup at the end of last year (we tipped her in that race). Despite running 4th, she was 1.60 lengths off more experienced runners. Her only run over 1800m saw a facile 4.25 against some highly rated company, and I believe there’s better value in backing Queen Supreme than the favourite, Front and Centre.
Race 7 - Queens Plate (Grade 1)
The marquee event of the day, and one of the most anticipated runnings of the Queens Plate. Of the 10 participants, a case for running in the top 3 can be made for 8 of them. Everyone will be there to see Hawwaam, but it’s undoubtedly his toughest test to date. All entries are running off level weights, which gives preference to the higher rated and more experienced horses.
TIP: – He will have to beat Do It Again, Rainbow Bridge and Soqrat, who are all better weighted. He’s currently at odds I wouldn’t normally chase, but winning this would launch Hawwaam into the racing stratosphere. It could also end up being one of the last times we see him run in this country. More for love of the game than trying to make money, this is end of the story everyone wants to see.
Race 8 - Chairman’s Cup (Grade 3)
This looks to be a tricky stayers race testing horses with variable preferred distances over the 2500m trip. I’m in favour of looking to rule out certain horses and find some value amongst those who are left. Closer to race time there could be a flood of money for some runners, this could be the guide to see who’s best prepped for the race.
TIP: – There’s value in an each way bet here. This gelding has seen off a few of these rivals before and could feature in the top 3 again with a repeat run. There’s a slight shift in weights after winning last time out, but with regular jockey Anthony Andrews onboard, the current place price of 2.40 looks worth a punt.
Race 9
Another open race, this time a handicap over 1400m. The betting tells a story, and if by race time there is no standout favourite it could be an indication of whats to come. There’s plenty of factor that come into a race of this complexity. I’m going to try find a good combination of them along with decent odds.
TIP: – The Bass-Robinson stable has just this one in the race with the able service of Aldo Domeyer. An average draw of 7, but with respected course and distance form. It’s last win came at this track in slightly poorer company, but is now running off a lower weight and could take advantage. It should be nice odds for an each way bet.
Race 10
The last of the day is another closely matched handicap, this time a sprint over 1000m. There are some progressive geldings in this contest, with just the two fillies that I would largely rule out.
TIP: – A recent winner who has kept knocking on the door at this level. Hoping for 3rd time lucky, and an experienced jockey booking in Aldo Domeyer could be the charm. If you’re chasing losses from earlier it may not be the best race to try get back, but there’s enough in Mr Cobbs’ favour to make it a worthy bet.
That’s it for our Queen’s Plate 2020 tips. Keep posted to our social media channels for more info. Look out for our tips on the next big race day. Happy punting!
ACCESS ALL RACE MARKETS HERE
We’ve got you covered through all 10 races on the big day, with fixed odds and exotics betting. CLICK HERE TO VIEW
BETTING ON HORSE RACING EXPLAINED
First time having a go on the ponies can be a daunting task. With our Queen’s Plate 2020 tips, we’ve also put a guide together explaining all the types of bets you can take. CLICK HERE TO VIEW
HOW TO PICK A WINNER
If you’re wanting to draw your own conclusion on the big day instead of our Queen’s Plate 2020 tips, read through the factors to consider when picking a winner. CLICK HERE TO VIEW
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