The Snaith Racing Team continued their Hollywoodbets Durban July day build-up in good style when the talented Gimmethegreenlight colt Light Speed went all the way to win the R250 000 World Sports Betting Gr3 Langerman in courageous style.
When Grant van Niekerk does things right, there are few riders to match him and the 31 year old rode a cracker from the front on a clearly promising sort
Even when Louis Mxothwa and the Gujadhur family’s Port Louis (another Gimmethegreenlight son!) moved up looking a winner late, Van Niekerk straightened Light Speed and didn’t panic as the Maine Chance-bred colt soared home.
Grant van Niekerk has Light Speed in control after going all the way (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In a quicker time than the fairer sex in the Irridescence Stakes, Light Speed (6-1) beat Port Louis (5-1) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 95,98 secs.
Vaughan Marshall would have been thrilled with Lord William’s late rattle to run third at 10-1, a further 0,30 lengths back.
The favourite At My Command (5-2) came on late to run fourth in a blanket scurry for the end of the quartet berth.
Drakenstein-sponsored jockey Grant van Niekerk rode a cracker.
“His draw played a huge role. I set my own pace. He is a lovely scopey horse and has a lot of ability – I thought he wasn’t ready. The Snaiths proved me wrong – again!” he laughed.
“He is a big horse and is going to take some time. I thought the second horse had us when he moved up. But Light Speed is fresh and lightly raced. He is not a typical Gimmethegreenlight. Well done to Andreas Jacobs and Tim Bootsma at Maine Chance. And this is Switzerland-based Thomas Lines first horse here – what a fairytale start!” said Jonathan Snaith.
A R175 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Light Speed is out of the once winning Fort Wood mare, Lady In Love.
He has won 2 of 3 starts for stakes of R195 500.
