The fact that Turffontein-based trainers won two of the three Gr1 races at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday is testimony to the world-class track management at the Gauteng racetrack training centre.
So says Joey Soma, who was echoing his colleague Paul Peter’s sentiments, after the ‘Turffontein two’ won the Daily News 2000 and Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Got The Greenlight cruises to victory under Bernard Fayd’herbe (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“If it wasn’t for the colour of the turf, you wouldn’t know it is winter at Turffontein,” said the veteran Soma, who confirmed that his Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner would be prepared out of his home base of Turffontein for the Vodacom Durban July.
“He never enjoyed the Cape and even when we got to Summerveld last week, his personality changed. I need him to be happy and he is a gem at home at Turffontein. So we won’t take any chances. We will go back to Joburg on Wednesday and have his July gallop up there. We will come back to Durban for the big race,” he said.
He was pleased to report that Drakenstein-sponsored SA champion jockey Lyle Hewitson has been booked for the big race ride.
Joey Soma – pleased as punch
Hewitson will ride Got The Greenlight at a likely 53kgs.
Got The Greenlight sauntered to his second Gr1 victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville and third career Gr1 overall when winning the Daily News 2000 under Bernard Fayd’Herbe.
He beat the pacy Padre Pio by 1,50 lengths in a time of 125,80 secs.
The Daily News is a traditional July pointer and Joey Soma, who astutely bought him for a now modest R110 000 off the 2018 CTS April Yearling Sale, is looking for his first success in the big race.
The colt took his earnings to R1 938 000 with his sixth win with five places from twelve starts.
Got The Greenlight races in a partnership of Dayalan Chinsammy, Hassen Adams and Joey Soma.
Bred by Nadeson Park Stud, he is by Varsfontein sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) and is out of the one-time winner Command Chi (Commands).
