While making his speech at the Zimbabwe Guineas presentation on Sunday, Mashonaland Turf Club Chairman Christopher Peech announced an amendment to Local Condition 3.  As From Monday, March 13, the Turf Club will accept a minimum of three entries, from two trainers, in a race. 

In the past the MTC has been reluctant to stage events with less than 8 runners, and Mr Peech must be commended for doing what he has to do, under existing circumstances.

However, I sincerely hope our Borrowdale Park trainers will continue to make every effort to avoid extra small fields.

Ngong fielded three horses in one of their races on Sunday March 12, and it was farcical.  The thought of watching something similar at Borrowdale is enough to make one weep…..Had the three runners been evenly matched it would have been different – but they were not, and no way could this be considered a race.

To rub salt into the wounds yesterday Sporting Post carried an article about 130 horses bound for Mauritius.

A few years back Champ de Mars was not operating from a rose garden.  There were serious problems both financial and otherwise..but they seem to have put this behind them.

It is no secret that Borrowdale’s racehorse population is dwindling, and that when comparing Zimbabwe with Mauritius, at present, all things are probably not equal. Even so I would like to know how the Champ de Mars stakes compare with those at Borrowdale Park?

Are the owners of the recently imported horses all based in Mauritius – and, if not, is it easy for owners to transfer winnings from Mauritius? Are the Mauritian racing authorities subsidising the importation/transportation of these horses?

Is there any wand we could possibly wave to get a consignment of horses here?

To make sure I am not the only one spitting blood and green with envy, part of the Sporting Post article is copied below:

“Close on 130 horses have arrived for the new season, which commences with the running of the Duchess Of York Cup on Saturday, 25 March.

“The Australian-bred son of High Chaparral, who raced in the yellow and royal blue of Al Adiyaat SA, won the Gr3 Gold Vase and Gold Cup in consecutive starts in the last SA Champions Season, but battled to regain his form thereafter.

“He will join the Gujadhur yard and looks likely to have the Maiden Cup in September as his chief target, where he could face another son of High Chaparral in Parachute Man.

“Former Gavin van Zyl trained 6yo Qatar Springs, a winner of six races, has joined the yard of Jean-Michel Henry, who has also brought Brett Crawford’s Midnite Zone, a sprinter who has won thrice and placed six times.

“Gr3 Godolphin Barb runner-up Beat The Retreat, a former Alistair Gordon runner, is another highly regarded horse exported to further his career on the island.”