2022 TANKARD RUNNER

4 Drawn 3 57.5 MR GREENLIGHT 6-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs G Goksel & B M McLauchlan

Breeder: Nadeson Park Stud – Trainer: V Birketoft

Breeding: Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Rakara by Rakeen (USA)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Mr Greenlight won his first race in Zimbabwe in August 2020, a 1000m Graduation Plate, but prior to that had won two races at Greyville, over a mile. He won his next start for trainer Gokhan Terzi over 1600m and then three more from 1260m-1600m, for the same yard.

In 2021 Mr Greenlight ran second to Wantage in both the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) and the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) but ran disappointingly in the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr3) won by Finchatton. It must have been around this time that Vanessa Birketoft obtained her full trainer’s licence, and Mr Greenlight disappointed again in the 1800m National Foods Plate won by Holy Land.

When the Tankard betting opened Mr Greenlight was 20/1 and it is difficult to see him as a serious contender over the Tankard distance. He has won 7 races from 1000m to 1600m so appears to prefer a shorter trip.

However, his best performance over further was when second to Wantage in the 2021 Breeders Champions Cup on April 4, 2021. Mr Greenlight finished 3 lengths behind the winner to whom he was conceding 2 kgs – so I may be wrong.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.