By Mark van Deventer
The Gr 3 Langerman has historically been a rite of passage for the Cape’s emerging 2 YOs with high aspirations.
Past winners include Excise, Renounce, Sword Dancer, Smart As Paint, Prince Florimund, Young England, Western Rocket, Alpha Omega, Variety Club, Act of War, Tap O Noth, One World, Jet Dark and last year’s victor, Eight on Eighteen.
1500m on soft ground requires reserves of stamina. Some who have shown precocity and speed down the straight are now going around the turn for the first time.
Seven runners will load into the starting stalls come 14h45 on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for the class of 2025 vintage.
PAY THE PALACE (by Potala Palace) won at his fifth racetrack appearance then was held safe behind reopposing Roland Garros and Randolph Hearst in a canter/sprint affair over this course and distance 20 days ago. An inside draw helps Piet Steyn’s charge, but improvement is needed to mix it with heavier hitters.
DREAMWORLD (by One World) is a principal candidate having beaten subsequent Gr 1 winner Good for You on debut; run Military Command close and then showing sustained pace to see off Absolutely Yes in the Winter Nursery. Gavin Lerena again partners Vaughan Marshall’s talented bay colt.
VAPOUR TRAIL (by Erik the Red) won a month ago over 1400m on soft ground, leading all the way. That was his fourth outing and he showed improvement to easily see off New World, but Lerena hops off to ride Dreamworld instead, which tempers enthusiasm for V.P’s chances.
Justin Snaith trains the horses drawn 4-7. ABSOLUTELY YES has done nicely since gelding – getting within a length of Dreamworld in the Winter Nursery, then defeating Churchillian in the Somerset. The extra ground should suit this resolute son of Danon Platina who will be ridden by Muzi Yeni.
Veteran jockey Andrew Fortune is one of the best judges of thoroughbred talent around. He was lavish in his praise of HAPPY VERSE after they swept past older horses to win a Class 5 at H.Q. a month ago.
The Vercingetorix colt was slightly slow away and suffered a hurt mouth, but those irritants did not impede an impressive performance as he effortlessly rushed through a quick closing sectional to win under wraps.
HAPPY VERSE is still getting the hang of things (he was also awkward and green on a winning debut) but is clearly laden with ability so should make a bold bid.
ROLAND GARROS (sired by Vercingetorix) and RANDOLPH HEARST (a son of Gimmethegreenlight) rate right together on form having disputed a wafer-thin margin finish over this C/D on 1 June.
That was a false run affair which turned into a sprint down the straight, and maybe not too much should be read into the result. At least we know they can quicken up and are determined in a drive to the line. Both Snaith runners assertively won their previous starts and are blue-blooded, smart babies with bright futures.
In what could be a thriller, HAPPY VERSE gets the marginal verdict over DREAMWORLD with ROLAND GARROS, ABSOLUTELY YES and RANDOLPH HEARST live threats, too.
Whatever the outcome, historical precedent indicates that high class horses with Classic potential will come out of this must-watch race.
