Randolph Hearst wins second time out over 1400m. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Race Coast)
Champion trainer Justin Snaith sends out four very smart and regally bred two-year-olds in the Grade 3 R500 000 Langerman over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Greg Bortz’s retained rider JP van der Merwe has opted to ride Randolph Hearst in preference to either Absolutely Yes or Roland Garros, but it could not have been any easy decision to reach. Last time out, over the course and distance, Roland Garros edged out Randolph Hearst by the narrowest of margins but the latter was doing his best work at the finish and would have got up in another stride.
While obviously respecting JP’s decision, Richard Fourie is no doubt delighted to retain the ride on Roland Garros as the grey son of Vercingetorix is improving with each run and is now bidding for a hat-trick. In the end, it may all come down to which of the pair will better cope with the expected testing track condition. Tuesday’s midweek race meeting was run in deteriorating conditions as the afternoon progressed, and the track would have taken a pounding. With further rain forecast heading into Saturday’s race meeting the going is almost certain to be on the heavy side.
Absolutely Yes has his peak run after being rested and gelded and is a winner of two of his four starts to date. He was a good second behind Dreamworld in the Winter Nursery over 1100m on 4 May and followed that up with a fluent but hard-fought victory over Churchillian in the Sophomore Stakes over 1200m three weeks ago. The 2yo son of Danon Platina will strip a very fit horse but has yet to be tested around the turn and he may have to take a backseat behind Randolph Hearst and Roland Garros. The Snaith quartet is completed by Happy Verse who looks to be a very exciting prospect in the making. He won his debut at long odds over 1200m and then stepped into open company a month ago and carried a big weight to victory over 1400m in very pleasing fashion. Andrew Fortune has ridden the imposing son of Vercingetorix to both his victories and is once again in the plate on Saturday. It would come as no surprise to see Happy Verse retain his unbeaten record.
Standing in the way of complete Snaith domination are Vaughan Marshall, who saddles Dreamworld and Vapour Trail, and Piet Steyn who is represented by Pay The Palace in the small field of seven starters. As is the case with Absolutely Yes, Dreamworld steps into unchartered territory having won two of his three starts to date over sprint distances. There is a lot of speed on the dam side and only the race will show whether the son of One World will be effective over this trip, but it is interesting that Marshall side-stepped the Sophomore Sprint in favour of the Langerman. Vapour Trail is a half-brother to One Stripe and was a good winner over 1400m last time, but he takes on considerably stronger here. Pay The Palace should be well held by both Roland Garros and Randolph Hearst on the evidence of their recent encounter but pole position is an advantage for the son of Potala Palace.
There is no shortage of class in this year’s renewal of the Langerman but banking on JP’s judgement has served me well in recent race meetings and I am happy to throw my lot in with Randolph Hearst in what should be fascinating contest.
The R250 000 Listed Irridescence Stakes for two-year-old fillies over 1500m appears wide open and up for grabs. Of the seven fillies carded, only Take It As Red has won beyond 1200m and the daughter of Hawwaam enjoys the added benefit of being drawn in the plum gate. Last time out Take It As Red won her maiden over 1400m on a soft track but one gets the feeling that she will need to take another step forward as she bumps a smart bunch of fillies, albeit untried over the trip.
Ukuduma caught the eye when beating a limited field over 1100m on debut and is bred to much more effective over further. Being by Vercingetorix out of Jet Master’s multiple Grade 1-winning daughter Thunder Dance, Ukuduma certainly has the right profile to land a race of this nature and is the hesitant top selection. Legislate is represented by two interesting fillies both of which should enjoy stepping up in distance. Lowveld Lily won over 1200m at the second time of asking after finishing third behind Ukuduma on debut, while recent winner, Paralegal, is out of a Dynasty mare and should have no problems in handling the extra.
The fast-improving Electromagnetism has won her last two starts in stylish fashion, while She’s My World is highly regarded and may have further scope. Mrs Claus makes her debut here and is expected by the Snaith team to need the experience and the daughter of Futura is unlikely to prove competitive. From a Jackpot and Pick 6 perspective, this looks a “field” race as there are too many unknowns to make a definitive selection, but my gut suggests that Ukuduma may have the most scope for improvement over this course and distance in soft conditions.
With 11 races on the programme, Cape Racing is offering three Jackpots and two Bipots on the Tote betting menu, with Jackpot One commencing in the first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m, which is due off at 11:20.
