Calvin Habib is ecstatic as he gives his guv’nor Tony Peter another Gr 1 winner (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Cape Breeders
South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight enjoyed a big day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Not only did the Varsfontein Stud resident supply the winner of Sunday’s G2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante winner in the form of Just Reckless, but another two-year-old daughter of Gimmethegreenlight, Vj’s Angel, downed some top-class male rivals to claim Sunday’s G1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600 metres.
VJ’s Angel is the 12th G1 winner for Gimmethegreenlight, and Gimmethegreenlight’s fourth winner, along with Got The Greenlight, Gunner and Sandringham Summit, of the race.
Trained by Tony Peter, two-year-old Vj’s Angel had finished third, behind star filly Quid Pro Quo, in the G2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper last time out and she made the most of a good draw and sex allowance in Sunday’s R1 000 000 contest for two-year-olds.
Under Calvin Habib, Vj’s Angel stormed home down the centre of the track to get up close home and win, going away by nearly three-parts of a length.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Vj’s Angel, who is out of the Oratorio mare Tally-Ho, has won four of seven starts.
VJ’s Angel is the 66th stakes winner for Gimmethegreenlight, who will be crowned South Africa’s Champion Sire for a third time at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
CALVIN HABIB : “God is great. HE works in mysterious ways and you’ve got to believe in HIM. She (VJ’s Angel) is the rose amongst the thorns. What a filly. I always knew she would run well here. She ran on July day where she was scared of the crowd and ran away, but still ran 3rd behind a really classy filly. I’m over the moon … I’m speechless. They’re group 1’s and you’ve got to enjoy them”.
TONY PETER : “She’s a lovely filly. She’s very well put together. She’s a strong girl. She’s difficult to train, but I don’t mind training her when she’s this good. She’s getting better with every run. A big thanks to Calvin, who has put in the hard miles at home … he’s been criticized a lot, but he keeps his head down and brings home the winners. It’s appreciated. Thank you to everyone. Our main thank you goes to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. HE sticks with me … HE helps me, no matter how people try to break me. Noone is stronger than HIM and thankful for everything the does for me and my family … for protecting us”.
MR PALMER ON BEHALF OF MR and MRS PALMER : “I’ve been racing for many moons and this is the greatest day of my life in racing. This is a proper racehorse. She has shown her true colours … we are very proud of her”.
