Rikesh Sewgoolam's One Stripe proved superior over fellow 3-year-olds in winning last month's Cape Guineas (G1), and he similarly bested older rivals Jan. 4 when closing to victory in the 164th running of King's Plate (G1) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.
The R3 million King's Plate, one of South Africa's premier races, was one of two grade 1s at the Cape Town racetrack Saturday, along with the R1 million Paddock Stakes (G1). The latter race was won by Double Grand Slam, owned by Drakenstein Stud, Dave MacLean, and retired golfing legend Gary Player.
With both races part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, One Stripe secured an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) and Double Grand Slam gained a guaranteed starting position in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T).
Now in its 19th season, the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races, the winners of which receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar in California.
One Stripe notched his third consecutive victory despite a tardy start. He settled toward the rear of the pack in the 1,600-meter (about one mile) contest and, knifing through the field under Gavin Lerena, picked off rivals down the course's long stretch. Finding an opening between horses late, he surged past second-place Montien and third-place Gimme a Prince in the final 100 meters to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
He was timed in 1:37.63 on turf rated as good.
"He absolutely cruised up to the big horses. And what can I say? He sailed on by," Lerena said.
It was the first King's Plate victory for the colt's owner and jockey, and for trainer Vaughan Marshall.
"Well, up until now, we were a bridesmaid. We ran second twice, but thankfully, One World has sorted that out," Marshall said.
The colt's sire, One World, was one of those runner-up finishers for Marshall, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Vardy in the 2020 running.
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Player, Partners Score With Double Grand Slam
Gary Player won numerous trophies by capturing 165 professional tournaments during his decorated golfing career, and the retired legend is still continuing to pick them up as a horse owner. He and his partners celebrated victory in the Paddock Stakes, run about a half-hour before the King's Plate.
"So people say to me, 'What do you like more, horses or golf?' I say, 'Well if I had to make a choice, I'd miss golf,'" the 89-year-old Player quipped.
Double Grand Slam, a daughter of Vercingetorix, came into the Paddock Stakes with some wondering if she could handle the 1,800-meter distance (about 1 1/8 miles), but she answered the test in her first start beyond a mile. She rallied to prevail under Richard Fourie, defeating runner-up Red Palace by 1 1 /2 lengths. Rascova ran third.
"Just never doubt a good horse, you know? If they're good, they'll go any distance, to be honest," trainer Justin Snaith said.
She was timed in 1:49.86 for the distance.
As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, Breeders' Cup Limited will pay the entry fees for One Stripe and Double Grand Slam to start in the World Championships. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 to receive the rewards.
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