The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Dave Shawe-homebred three-year-old filly Al Greenga gives leading jockey Craig Zackey a double and Gimmethegreenlight a treble (JC Photos)
Cape Breeders
Multiple Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight began 2026 on a high note when he supplied a trio of winners at Turffontein on Thursday.
It was a 100% strike rate for the Varsfontein Stud resident, with all three of Gimmethegreenlight’s runners winning at Turffontein.
Gimmethegreenlight’s first success on New Year’s Day came when his daughter Merryweather narrowly prevailed in the For Hospitality Bookings Call 011 681 1796 Novice Handicap (1600m).
Under Keagan De Melo, the Johan Janse Van Vuuren trained three-year-old put her head down where it mattered most to score by a short-head.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Merryweather, who races for the Wernars Family and Mukund Gujadhur, is out of the Judpot mare Maleficent.
Gimmethegreenlight is also the sire of Surprise Party, who caught the eye when she won Thursday’s #Youcanbetonus!FM 74 Divided Handicap (1800m).
The Paul Matchett trained three-year-old was given a good ride by Philasande Mxoli to win by nearly a length and a quarter. A blinker strike appeared to help Surprise Party in Thursday’s race.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Surprise Party, winner of two of six starts, races for Henning Pretorius.
The filly, who is out of the Philanthropist mare Party Crasher, was a R700 000buy from the 2024 August Two Year Old Sale.
Gimmethegreenlight also looks to have a promising sort to his name in the form of Al Greenga.
The latter made it two wins from three starts with an impressive win in the ninth and final race on Thursday.
Under Craig Zackey, the Lucky Houdalakis trained three-year-old stormed home to win the Next Turffontein Racemeeting Saturday 3 January FM 80 Handicap (1400m) by more than five and a half lengths.
Bred and owned by David Shawe, Al Greenga had finished fourth on debut before breaking her maiden next time out.
Out of the Captain Al mare Al Danza, the filly is bred on the same Gimmethegreenlight/Captain Al cross as champions Proceed and Sandringham Summit.
