The dizzy heights of the Green Point Stakes almost overshadowed a smart first stakes success for Gimmethegreenlight 5yo Gimme One Night and a Kenilworth Saturday feature double for SA champion rider Lyle Hewitson.
Lyle Hewitson steers Gimme One Night to victory, chased by Benjan (Sandile Mbhele) and Woodland’s Forest (Liam Tarentaal) in an exciting finish to the 2500m feature (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The R250 000 Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap was run a half hour after the sensational ‘Green Point Four’ had put on their show and unsurprisingly everybody was still talking about Legal Eagle’s time stopping victory.
The Avontuur-sponsored Lyle Hewitson comes out of his time in a matter of weeks and the reigning SA champion jockey is back to his best after an injury interrupted start to his season. He steered Rebel Princess to an easy win in the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes earlier in the day and had Brett Crawford’s Gimme One Night relaxed at the rear of the eight horse field who were led at a modest gallop by topweight Let It Rain, with stablemates Master’s Eye and favourite Strathdon in close attendance.
After the leaders came under pressure as the grandstand cast early evening shadows over the summer track, Hewitson had dead aim on the first cheque and gave his mount the signal to go at the 250m marker.
Gimme One Night burst out of the pack and went on strongly to hold Benjan to a half length in a time of 158.36 secs.
Longshot Woodland’s Forest ran one of his better recent races in third, ahead of stablemate to the winner, American Landing, who disappointed again.
The favourite Strathdon was in touch for a long way, but after coming under pressure appeared to be squeezed out late. He was already a beaten horse though and finished out of the money and 3,30 lengths behind the winner.
Happy connections lead their winner in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
A R200 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Gimme One Night was bred by Riverton Stud and is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the one-time winning Fiesta Queen – a daughter of Parade Leader.
The 5yo took his bank to R497 925 with his first stakes victory. He has won 5 races with 14 places from 30 starts.
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Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 8, R250k, 2500m, turf, good, 2.38.36
1 – GIMME ONE NIGHT (SAF), 52.0, b g 5, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Fiesta Queen (SAF) by Parade Leader (USA). Owner Mrs C L Gabler, Dr B D Sarembock, Mr P C Sarembock & Sea Cottage Properties CC (Nom: Dr K A Sarembock; Breeder Riverton Stud; trainer BJ Crawford; jockey L Hewitson
2 – Benjan (SAF), 52.0, b g 6, Fort Wood (USA) – Awaited (GB) by Machiavellian (USA)
3 – Woodland’s Forest (SAF), 52.0, b g 5, Elusive Fort (SAF) – Moonlit Magic (USA) by Belong To Me (USA)
Margins: 0.50, 0.30, 1.25
