Macduff won well on debut – and looks much better than last run
Joey Ramsden is the undisputed king of the R200 000 Gr3 Langerman. The Milnerton conditioner, a former multiple Cape champion, goes for an unprecedented ninth victory in the 2yo feature on Saturday and has a strong trio of runners representing him.
The Langerman has been a thriving nursery for producing classic winners and future stars.
The honour roll includes the likes of Excise, Renounce, Sword Dancer, Smart As Paint, Prince Florimund, Young England, Western Rocket and Alpha Omega – and more recently Variety Club.
And the achievements of last year’s winner Act Of War are well documented – so Joey Ramsden, who trades as Goodhope Racing, will be going into this one brimming with confidence.
Riot Squad
Bernard Fayd’herbe – rides The Stone Thrower
Bernard Fayd’herbe has deserted impressive debut winner Macduff to ride the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery runner up The Stone Thrower,who is a half-brother (by Seventh Rock) to the illustrious Act Of War.
The Stone Thower is poorly drawn at 10 but has run two good races from his three starts – his one below par effort being his 8 lengths behind stablemate Tar Heel in the Listed Somerset 1200.
He has shown a decent turn of foot and looks likely to enjoy the extra 300m.
Sean Cormack is down from KZN To partner Macduff.
This handsome son of Street Cry won a cracker on debut, when thought to be not ready – but then flopped in the Listed Somerset 1200 – when clocking in one length in front of The Stone Thrower.
Prince Of Thieves has drawn widest of all, but has course and 1400m experience after being beaten just under a half length by Ernie last time.
He meets the Bass runner on 2kgs better terms and Greg Cheyne returns froma successful Malaysia trip to ride him.
Kemal Kavur, like The Stone Thrower, runs in the Jooste silks.
The son of Warm White Night won his maiden at his second start beating King’s Drive over 1450m at Turffontein.
He has not seen action in 15 weeks and his fitness and well-being can only be taken on trust at his first Cape start.
Interesting Runner
Dean Kannemeyer – saddles Lord Marshal
Dean Kannemeyer saddles an interesting runner in the Horse Chestnut colt Lord Marshal.
Well drawn at 1, he enjoys the service of Karl Neisius, who will be looking to reverse the placings with Ernie and Prince Of Thieves after his last start.
Lord Marshal had excuses for his 3,90 length defeat after being bumped and is 2kgs better off with Ernie.
He beat Schachar by 3 lengths at his penultimate over the 1400m when going handy and that experience will stand him in good stead here.
Bass Duo
Shachar and Ernie will be saddled by Mike Bass.
The latter must be the stable elect after Schachar took six runs to find the winner’s enclosure.
Ernie looks to be a promising son of Elusive Fort and ran on powerfully to record his second win at his sixth start.
He showed impressive speed when winning over 800m but on breeding looks set to get better with distance.
Recent shock maiden winner Red Rex is thrown in the deep end, but looks well held by the likes of Lord Marshal and The Stone Thrower.
His win form was not franked either when the horse who chased him home, Auditorium, flopped at his next outing.
Russian Speed won well on debut but was then beaten 4,85 lengths by Tar Heel in the Listed Somerset 1200 before refusing to settle when 6,75 lengths behind Ernie.
He is held on that.
Maidens
The two maidens at the bottom of the weights have some ground to make up – buy are both unexposed after just two runs.
Justin Snaith – Australian bred maiden could be better than form suggests
Justin Snaith’s Ready To Attack is a nicely bred Aussie import who ran on steadily for fourth and 3,85 lengths behind Northern Corner last time.
He will enjoy the extra ground and must be a nice sort if they are throwing him in here. He cost close on R2 million at sale.
Glen Puller’s Larimar finished just behind Ready To Attack on his debut and then never really got into the race when beaten just over 6 lengths by Little Mo.
He looks difficult to assess, but the winners must be preferred.
Pointer
The race is a good pointer to next season’s potential stars.
The Stone Thrower has looked above average, while Lord Marshal is crying for ground and he was unlucky last time. Mike Bass is lethal in the Cape winter and Ernie also impressed over 1400m last time.
Then what about the classy Macduff – he has to be better than his last weak run!
