L’Ormarins King’s Plate: Okapi Ladies International kicks off royal day

The inaugural R200 000 Okapi Ladies International is the opening race on a bumper L’Ormarins King’s Plate card for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 7 January 2023.

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According to the SportingPost website, while the 162nd renewal of the R2 million Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate presents a vintage renewal of one of the country’s oldest races, the Lady riders contest down the 1 200m straight will attract plenty of interest.

The concept is the brainchild of Drakenstein’s Gaynor Rupert who was impressed by a similar concept, the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood in Britain, deciding it would be a great idea to implement in South Africa.

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The race hosts 12 experienced equestrians, including former professional rider Vicky Lerena (nee Badenhorst), who rode a cracker to win a workriders race recently, and pioneering former Zimbabwe apprentice O’Meara Rusike.

The Lady riders have been preparing for the race since October under the tutelage of riding master and former jockey, Craig du Plooy.

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“I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I am with the candidates – they are outstanding,” said Du Plooy.

“They have joined my normal training classes for race riders and have been putting in the hard graft, showing lots of commitment. I want each rider to take the necessary precautions and make them as familiar as possible with all aspects of race riding. They have been doing track work, grass gallops and going through the starting stalls, backed up with video analysis. I’m getting so excited to see how they cope and develop.”

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Gina Goldsmith, who, together with Jonathan Snaith was instrumental in making the unique race happen, confirmed that safety comes first.

“All candidates are training rigorously on their strength and fitness. It’s been hard work, but Craig is an excellent coach and the ladies have been supporting and encouraging one another. Thanks, are also due to trainers around the country for supplying candidate horses for us to practice on. Lucinda Woodruff at Milnerton has been especially helpful,” she added.

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The Snaith Racing Team dominate the line-up with six of the 12 runners.

The race is due off at 12:05.

OKAPI LADIES INTRNATIONAL FIELD

Under draw, horse, weight, merit rating, jockey, trainer

1	Distinction	59	90	#Danielle Rivalland	Justin Snaith
2	Vivacious Spirit	61	92	#Vicky Lerena	J A Janse van Vuuren
3	Betty Boop	59	87	#Chelsea Wilson	Justin Snaith
4	Ancient Epic	63	91	#Samantha Swanepoel	Gareth van Zyl
5	Certainly	59	87	#Helen Richardson	Glen Kotzen
6	Miss Greenlight	61	84	#Colinda Austin	Brett Crawford
7	Butterfly Beauty	61	93	#Emma Rose Finney	Justin Snaith
8	Pacific Green	59	89	#O’Meara Rusike	Justin Snaith
9	Bonika	63	98	#Julia Pilbeam	Justin Snaith
10	Island Treasure	57	77	#Kim Meaker	Lucinda Woodruff
11	Country Time	57	83	#Kelsey Mayhew-Munger	Candice Bass-Robinson
12	Say Yes	55	81	#Hannah Sida	Justin Snaith