KOTZEN RAIDER IS GIMME’S 53RD STAKES WINNER

Varsfontein Stud’s champion sire Gimmethegreenlight came up with his 53rd stakes winner when his classy son Countdown ran out a comfortable winner of the R175 000 Listed East Cape Sprint Cup run over 1200m on the polytrack at Fairview on Friday.

The Glen Kotzen trained threeyear-old, fifth in the G2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes last time out, was given a patient ride by Grant Van Niekerk.

The Drakenstein-sponsored jockey bought his mount with a sustained late challenge down the outside of the track, as Countdown (5-2) powered home to score going away by a length in a time of 69,84 secs.

The game speed filly Phedra (10-1) was second, with the fancied Cliff Top (1-1) failing to go on with his effort and well beaten in third.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Countdown has now won four of 13 starts for stakes of R369 250, with the gelding having contested the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at two and the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup earlier this season.

Out of the Philanthropist mare Imperadora, Countdown was a R200 000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.

His champion sire

Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) went close to recording a feature race double on Friday, with Gimmethegreenlight gelding Port Louis finishing second in the Listed East Cape Guineas.

South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2020-2021, Gimmethegreenlight is currently again heading the South African General Sires List, with his flagbearers including this season’s Gr1 winners Bless My Stars (Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic) and Gimme A Prince (Pongracz Cape Flying Championship)