Graeme Hawkins 

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 today. Greg Bortz’ 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. 

RACE 1

1 STAR MAJOR 2 GOLD GIBOSKI  5 DIAMOND DAYS 9 NEW WORLD

Preview: 1 STAR MAJOR 2 GOLD GIBOSKI  5 DIAMOND DAYS 9 NEW WORLD is knocking on the door and Richard Fourie retains the ride in his second start with Blinkers on. (David Thiselton 1-2-5-9)

RACE 2     

6 SPLASH OF COLOUR 1 LOVE HER MADLY 2 GREEK HEIRESS 7 ONCIDIUM

Preview: 6 SPLASH OF COLOUR has Gavin Lerena up from a middle draw of six and having gone close last time over this course and distance she should be in the shake up. 1 LOVE HER MADLY has run some good races and on pedigree should relish the step up in trip so she should be right there from pole position. 2 GREEK HEIRESS is a well-bred filly by Fire Away out of a decent Fort Wood mare and Craig Zackey rides from a plum draw. 7 ONCIDIUM has Richard Fourie up from a tricky draw of seven but she could improve on her first start.  (David Thiselton 6-1-2-7)

RACE 3     

1 OCTOBER STORM 4 FLEUR DE VILLE 6 IKO IKO 7 DIGBY

Preview: 1 OCTOBER STORM is very well bred being by Vercingetorix out of the top broodmare Miss October and he should go close over 1000m on debut. 4 FLEUR DE VILLE went close last time over course and distance and he should be in the shake up. 6 IKO IKO is knocking on the door and should also be right there.7 DIGBY is in good form and could be involved in the finish. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-7)

RACE 4     

1 MEG’S LEGACY 3 TAYLOR’S VERSION 5 RED CORAL 10 RED STATE

Preview: 1 MEG’S LEGACY ran a fine race over course and distance last time and is now drawn in pole and should be right there. 3 TAYLOR’S VERSION  also went close last time and from draw two should be in the shake up. 5 RED CORAL improved second time out and should enjoy this further step up in trip and has a chance. 10 RED STATE has run two good races in succession over 1200 meters and should relish the step up in trip but does have a wide draw. (David Thiselton 1-3-5-10)

RACE 5     

2 ARIOVISTUS 3 KWITE A KING 4 AHEAD OF THE FACTS 5 WOOD WORLD

Preview: 2 ARIOVISTUS won easily last time out in an open maiden and starts off on a fair merit rating of 73 with Richard Fourie up over an ideal course and distance. 3 KWITE A KING ran well last time over 2200 and from a good draw will also enjoy this trip. 4 AHEAD OF THE FACTS has won two of his last three over middle distances and should be in the shake-up from a fair draw. 5 WOOD WORLD has been in good form and with Gavin Lerena up for the third time in succession he has a chance. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-5)

RACE 6     

3 ELECTROMAGNETISM 6 UKUDUMA 7 LOWVELD LILY 2 SHE’S MY WORLD

Preview: 3 ELECTROMAGNETISM has won her last two and on pedigree should relish the step-up in trip. 6 UKUDUMA is a well-bred sort being Vercingetorix out of dual Gr 1 winner Thunder Dance and she should go close after a good debut win.7 LOWVELD LILY won well second time out and should enjoy the step-up in trip. 2 SHE’S MY WORLD is well drawn and should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 3-6-7-2)

RACE 7     

5 HAPPY VERSE 6 ROLAND GARROS 3 VAPOUR TRAIL 2 DREAMWORLD

Preview: 5 HAPPY VERSE is a talented horse and should enjoy the step up in trip here and looks the one to beat. 6 ROLAND GARROS has won his last two in fine fashion and should be in the shake up. 3 VAPOUR TRAIL is a half brother to one stripe and should enjoy this trip and is a contender from a good draw. 2 DREAMWORLD has fine form and tries a step up in trip from a good draw, although the jury is out on whether he will stay. (David Thiselton 5-6-3-2)

RACE 8     

2 LADY LOOK ALIKE 5 MIRACULOUS 6 KAMCHATKA 1 PENTOLINA

Preview: 2 LADY LOOK ALIKE  is in hard knocking form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should go close. 5 MIRACULOUS is knocking hard too and might enjoy the step up and trip. 6 KAMCHATKA ran well last time over 1400m and will enjoy this trip, but does have a tricky draw. 1 PENTOLINA has pole position and can be right there if repeating penultimate start. (David Thiselton 2-5-6-10)

RACE 9     

3 RIKKITIKKITAVI 4 OCTOBER FEST 2 MARITZBURG MEMORY 8 HOPE CHEST

Preview: 3 RIKKITIKKITAVI beat a good sort last time and is the one to beat. 4 OCTOBER FEST is well bred and is coming to hand. 2 MARITZBURG  MEMORY has the form to be a contender.  8 HOPE CHEST has ability and could bounce back. (David Thiselton 3-4-2-8)

RACE 10    

1 BECKY SHARP 4 SAINT BRIGID 3 EASY MONEY 7 IM THE BUZZ

Preview: 1 BECKY SHARP is knocking hard and could get it right here. 4 SAINT BRIGID ran a cracker last time, stepped down to 1400m and is interesting over a further step down in trip. 3 EASY MONEY beat Becky Sharp last time and is only 1,5kg worse off for a 1,75 length beating so might confirm the form. 7 IM THE BUZZ has the form to earn a cheque. (David Thiselton 1-4-3-7)

RACE 11    

1 MISS WORLD 3 DEAN STREET 5 TANNERON 6 ELUSIVE WINTER

Preview: 1 MISS WORLD is well regarded and Richard Fourie could make all the distance. 3 DEAN STREET has the ability and can never be ignored. 5 TANNERON won well last time and looks to be coming into her own. 6 ELUSIVE WINTER is consistent and should be right there. (David Thiselton 1-3-5-6)

Please note: Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has an exciting exotic betting menu for racing this Saturday, 21 June 2025. First race off at 11:20. Don’t miss it !!!

Jackpot One – Races 1 to 4 – Race 1 off at 11h20

Bipot One – Races 2 to 7 – Race 2 off at 11h55

PA – Races 3 to 9 – Race 3 off at 12h30

Pick 6 – Races 4 to 9 – Race 4 off at 13h05

Jackpot Two – Races 5 to 8 – Race 5 off at 13h40

Bipot Two – Races 6 to 11– Race 6 off at 14h15

Jackpot Three – Races 8 to 11 – Race 8 off at 15h20

PLEASE NOTE!

Below pools time changes due to below match date change.

SOCCER 4 : SFF Soccer 17 Pool 2 – 20 JUNE 2025

Match 1 (M1): SALERNITANA vs SAMPDORIA. Rescheduled, New date 22 June 2025

New Pool closing time 20:45

PLEASE NOTE!

Soccer 4: SFF Soccer 17 Pool 2– 20 JUNE 2025

Match 1 (M1): SALERNITANA vs SAMPDORIA. Rescheduled. New Date 22 June 2025

Soccer 6: 6II Soccer 4 Pool 1– 20 JUNE 2025

Match 2 (M2): SALERNITANA vs SAMPDORIA. Rescheduled. New Date 22 June 2025

Soccer 10: 1RR Soccer 14 Pool 1 –  20 JUNE 2025

Match 2 (M2): SALERNITANA vs SAMPDORIA. Rescheduled. New Date 22 June 2025

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.

In terms of TAB rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.