More Than Ready colt Gimmithegreenlight will have to overcome a wide gate to maintain his unbeaten record in the G1 Golden Horseshoe (1400m) in South Africa on Saturday.

Gimmethegreenlight (2c More Than Ready – Yes She Can Cancan by Canny Lad) has drawn 11 in a capacity 16 horse field.  An outside barrier at the 1400m start is a distinct disadvantage at Greyville.  Fully 60% of winners come from the inside five gates.

Vinery sold Gimmethegreenlight as a weanling for $155,000 at 2009 Magic Millions National Sale.  He has earned over R193,000 in four starts and the Golden Horseshoe is worth another R312,500 to the winner.

South African price assessors have rated Gimmethegreenlight an even-money favourite to make it five in a row on the Durban July program.

In what’s shaping up as an Australian-bred benefit, Rio Carnival (Hussonet), Tennessee Strategy (Stratum), Fighting Warrior (Magic Albert) and Mushreq (Flying Spur) are also in the market for the G1 Golden Horseshoe.

Gimmethegreenlight is trained by Justin Snaith for leading owner Hassen Adams.  He won three on the trot in Cape Town including the Listed Somerset Plate over 1200m.  

Snaith sent him to Durban for a sighter on June 4 and he carried 60kg to an impressive victory over 1300m.  He drifted alarmingly from 8/10 to 15/10 and looked to be in trouble coming into the straight.  But that impression was quickly dispelled when he quickened to win going away for a career best rating.

On the home front, More Than Ready has sired a half-dozen juvenile winners this season including star filly Elite Falls who was a G2 winner of the Riesling Slipper at Rosehill before finishing third in the G1 Golden Slipper.

The Vinery champion sired another potential Group 1 performer during the Brisbane winter carnival.  The Paul Messara trained colt Mahisara won the Listed Centenary Classic win at Eagle Farm last Saturday and his spring goal is the Caulfield Guineas.

Mahisara is bred on the same More Than Ready / Danehill cross as Elite Falls.

The Golden Horseshoe is scheduled for 11.20pm on Saturday night (AEST)