Tough going in King’s Plate
Seven horses are nominated to contest tomorrow’s feature race, which is an Open Allowance event, journeying seven and a half furlongs or 1,500 metres.
Despite the limited number of horses entered for the King’s Plate, the winner is not easy to spot with at least five horses including Shining Light, Orpheus, Another Bullet, Zephyr and the returning veteran Perfect Neighbour having a chance of taking home the King’s Plate.
The Supreme Racing Guide offers its analysis of the seven runners in post-position order.
SOY EL SENOR: (5, gr.h. He’stherealthing – Jose Marsan) – Was not too far behind (6 ½ lengths) the impressive Money Magnet over six and a half furlongs on February 17. Then Soy El Senor raced at the back of the field for most of the way without being a real threat to the winner. Now dropping down in class, Soy El Senor is not going to find it any easier.
SHINING LIGHT: (6, ch.h. Seeking The Glory – Bachelor Of Arts) – Has really come on well in his development over the last three months or so and is a real credit to his trainer Gary Griffiths. Shining Light ran a blinder on February 3 when finishing second behind Money Magnet over six furlongs (1,200m). Shining Light was shortening a bit in that race and with a furlong and a half added to the trip might find it a tad more difficult to win this trophy race. That being said, Shining Light now races against horses he has conquered before and even with the distance not too much to his liking is expected to give a capital effort.
ORPHEUS: (5, ch.h. Adore The Gold – La Reina) – Since his return from injury at the back end of last season Orpheus has been running against the best horses around at this time. Orpheus won on last (January 27) over seven furlongs getting the better of Prolific Princess and Dontae. Now the former winner of the Jamaica Derby steps up again to tackle Open Allowance horses over a trip which is right up his street. Orpheus should be prominent throughout tomorrow’s race with his effort for winning coming from the top of the straight. Orpheus ran second behind Money Magnet on December 16, 2017 and any reproduction of that form will see him winning tomorrow.
ZEPHYR: (5, ch.m. Nasheet – Rushing Force) – Since breaking into the top classes, Zephyr has been a model of consistency and one thing is for sure is that this chestnut mare is going to relish every inch of the seven and a half furlongs offered in the King’s Plate. Zephyr holds a victory over Siempre Bueno and Money Magnet on January 6 over five and a half furlongs and then showed her versatility when she placed third behind Marvellous Marva and Awesome Destiny going a mile on January 20. Expect Zephyr to be kept off the early fractions before making a bid for victory in the straight. A much-improved horse, Zephyr has every chance of winning the King’s Plate.
ANOTHER BULLET: (6, b.h. Nasheet – Wisely Noted) – The undoubted speed in the King’s Plate, Another Bullet has to be caught as for sure jockey Anthony Thomas is going to put him in front from the gates open. Another Bullet won his last race, in Overnight company on February 14, but now he faces more accomplished horses and will have to put every hoof right in order to win the King’s Plate.
PERFECT NEIGHBOUR: (8, dkb,g Natural Selection – Desperatehousewife) – This veteran campaigner has not raced in 205 days with his last effort being fourth in the Prime Minister’s Stakes behind Will In Charge, Bigdaddykool and Kalamata on August 7, 2017. Perfect Neighbour while being painstakingly prepared for his return by trainer Wayne DaCosta is surely going to need a race or two before he gets anywhere near to his best form. Perfect Neighbour is not known to have any early speed, so expect him to be at the back of the field for most of the way before making an attempt of winning over the last two furlongs.
LITTLE BIG HORN: (5, b.h. War Marshall – Little Wasp) – Has done well to reach this level but should not be a winning factor in this one. Little Big Horn might, however, be seen on the headline of this race. Needs more time in this class.