L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate: Top 3 picks for South Africa's first major meeting of 2026
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
8. Garrix - 25/2 (S’manga Khumalo)
If the 2026 L’Ormarins King’s Plate turns into a true-run race, Garrix could be the one they all have to catch down the straight. His performance in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes was far better than it looks on paper, as he was buried at the back of the field with just 300m to go and was denied a clear path at the business end, yet he still got up to finish a neck behind Dave The King.
That performance underlined his devastating turn of foot and confirmed that he has been prepped specifically for this race. The Steyn father-son training partnership has mapped out a long-term campaign for Garrix, and by all accounts, he arrives at Kenilworth this weekend in peak condition.
Assuming a clearer passage and strong tempo in the race, Garrix’s natural acceleration could prove decisive. On sheer ability, he is more than capable of winning a Grade 1 of this calibre, and we will not be leaving him out of any bets on the afternoon.
2. Jan Van Goyen - 2/1 (Callan Murray)
Bookmakers have made the progressive Jan Van Goyen the horse to beat in this year’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate, which is understandable after the talented three-year-old announced himself as a star when producing a dominant performance in the Gr1 Cape Guineas over this same course and distance last month.
What made that win all the more impressive was that the race did not unfold as he would have hoped. Despite running into traffic, he showed a combination of composure and acceleration to put a quality field away with genuine authority, proving his ability to adapt under pressure - a sign of rare class.
Jumping from a favourable inside draw, we are expecting Jan Van Goyen to enjoy the trip in behind the leaders, which is likely to come from Legal Counsel and Dave The King. The speed maps are also in his favour, and that should give Callan Murray enough time to set up the challenge to perfection. Carrying 55kg, the sole three-year-old is our best each-way shout this weekend.
7. Eight on Eighteen - 5/1 (Oisin Murphy)
There aren’t many horses in South Africa that possess the sheer reputation and ability of the reigning Horse of the Year, Eight on Eighteen. His last appearance saw him finish a gallant second at the Hollywoodbets Durban July, a performance that only bolstered his standing as one of the country’s elite.
However, that run did come at a cost for the Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old, as he subsequently battled illness and has not raced for six months. The layoff and drop in trip do raise legitimate questions, particularly when considering that the Cape Town Met is likely his main target this year.
Still, class tends to prove decisive on race days like this and if he is anywhere close to full fitness, Eight On Eighteen will not be far off them. The booking of Irish champ Oisin Murphy is another tick in the right box, and while there may be a touch of vulnerability on the day, you simply cannot ignore this one in any of your bets.
