By Mark van Deventer
Muzi Yeni gave 2YO gelding ABSOLUTELY YES a clever and forceful steer to go all the way in the Langerman Stakes Gr 3 over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, but the 11/2 chance had to survive an enquiry after Corne Orffer, the jockey of second placed 50/1 longshot, PAY THE PALACE, claimed an interference foul in a driving finish.
The tenacious Justin Snaith conditioned winner is a grey son of Danon Platina ex Maybe Yes that has now scored in three of five starts.
ABSOLUTELY YES is an 800K NYS24 purchase, bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein Stud. The winner’s time for the historic Langerman, which has a star-studded Honours Roll, was 93.56 seconds
VAPOUR TRAIL at 25/1 was under a length back in third position, with RANDOLPH HEARST closing smartly into fourth.
However, fancied runners HAPPY VERSE, DREAMWORLD and ROLAND GARROS did not get to grips with the prevailing heavy conditions, and were not factors after racing a bit too far back and off the fence.
Given the circumstances, UKUDUMA received a perfect front-running/rail-hugging ride by Gavin Lerena to eke out a narrow victory over a rushing ELECTROMAGNETISM in the Irridescence Stakes Listed for 2YO fillies.
The R2.6 million NYS24 daughter of Vercingetorix ex Thunder Dance off Klawervlei Stud has now won both her starts to date – albeit by wafer slim margins. The determined and potently bred chestnut filly is trained by Vaughan Marshall.
Her winning time was 94.24 seconds on a heavy track where securing a rail run was an advantage in nearly all races.
Heavily punted ELECTROMAGNETISM (7/2 – 15/10) only just failed to run past her rival after switching out and would have been a winner a stride before and after the post. Candice Bass-Robinson’s Gimmethegreenlight juvenile emerged with honour in defeat.
Next best was SHE’S MY WORLD (One World) clocking in third, 1.8 lengths behind the top two after racing handy in the two-path before weakening in deep stretch.
