I remember a girl friend of 2oceansvibe being ever so slightly scorned at the emotional neglect dealt to her by 2oceansvibe’s “The Kitesurfer.” We had ploughed through a bottle of bubbly at Karma the one night and time came for me to exit. A tad tipsy, she said unto me (with her fingers snapping in the air), “And you go and tell The Kitesurfer that he can go and chase the phillies at the J&B Met, because THIS thoroughbred ain’t hanging with the kids, I’M AT ROYAL ASCOT BABY!!” (as she sank the last of the champers in her flute).

THAT, my friends, is the difference. And THAT is where the L’omarins Queens Plate comes in. This is not just a horse race, this is probably South Africa’s most prestigious and historic EVENT, period! This is South Africa’s Ascot..

On Saturday, 10 January 2009, Kenilworth race course will be transformed into a setting where elegant fashions, vintage cars, fine wine and the country’s top thoroughbreds take centre stage.

The Queen’s Plate 2009

Just to fill you in, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is one of SA’s premier horse races over 1600m and a weight-for-age contest in line with the world’s most prestigious Grade 1 events – with a stake of R1 million. The historic horse race was first held in 1861 in honour of Queen Victoria. When she died, the race became the King’s Plate up until the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1953.

You get the picture? This is the REAL DEAL. There is a dress code, for example: “Both Ladies and Gentlemen are required to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart occasion adhering to the dress code BLUE AND WHITE. Ladies are encouraged to wear hats (you gotta love that!) although this is not compulsory. Gentlemen are requested to dress in a suit or jacket. Casual wear such as t-shirts, jeans, shorts and sports attire are strictly forbidden.”

And I bloody well hope so! This is not a country fair! This is the Queen’s Plate, for goodness sake. Please, NO riff raff! God, I can’t wait to see the angels on the day. There is something quite wonderful about girls dressing up for a proper classy do like this. Walking around with straight backs, talking nicely and minding their manners – but meantime they’re absolute ANIMALS when the sun goes down!

Sorry about that.

The day will provide not only superb racing (we’ll chat about that in a second) but also play host to some of South Africa’s finest bands and DJ’s including Louise Carver, Arno Carstens, Goldfish and Shaun Duvet. Sick!

Goldfish

Arno

Louise

Now, just to bring you up to speed, let me fill you in on the ponies. Earlier this year, a capacity Greyville crowd witnessed race favourite Pocket Power and Dancer’s Daughter slug it out in a nail-biting sprint to the post for a thrilling finale to the Vodacom Durban July . In the end Pocket Power, could not be separated from Dancer’s Daughter. Judges were left scrutinizing the “photo finish” before declaring a dead-heat, only the second dead-heat in the race’s 112 year history.

The 2009 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate will see the continued rivalry between SA’s two greatest thoroughbreds – the extraordinary Dancer’s Daughter and the illustrious Pocket Power, the latter having consecutively won this race over the past two years. He will be chasing his record-breaking third consecutive win. The two last met when they dead heated at the Durban July and this rematch will be the most anticipated racing battle in years.

It’s going to be nothing but awesome. Nothing but class. For a change.

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate will take place on Saturday, 10 January 2009 at Kenilworth Race Course. If you do not go, you are incredibly uncool. FACT. Tickets in the picnic area are R30 (R10 of which goes to charity) and includes a R20 betting voucher. Entrance to the premier admission are priced at R200 (Jameson Gold Style-Lounges). Tickets are available at Computicket.

CLICK HERE for more information,
tickets,corporate packages etc.

Make sure you’re there. Trust me, this is THE event.