Not the most exciting field for the 1600m Fillies Classic, main event at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, and first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara.

Of the four runners Bridget Stidolph’s pair, Sweet Tea and Hollywood On Set (by Jay Peg), are probably evenly matched, judging by their performance over the distance, behind Peggson, on October 22. They finished 5.75 and 6 lengths, respectively, behind the winner, and this was their most recent outing.

Both are one time winners over sprints but Sweet Tea, by Antonius Pius (USA), did finish 3.50 lengths off Flanders over 1450m. If I had to choose between these stable mates Sweet Tea would get the edge.

Kirk Swanson’s duo, Dartagna and Wild Imogen, are lightly raced but have more recent form… up the straight. Dartagna, by Fencing Master (GB) out of a Dynasty mare., won her first start over 1100m, in November, beating Blue Label. Next time out on January 14 she ran 12.10 lengths behind her stable mate, Designer Pot, in a 1600m Novice Plate. With some experience around the turn perhaps she can do better than that.

Wild Imogen, also by Fencing Master (GB) but out of a Kitalpha (USA) mare, has not raced further than 1200m. She was unplaced in her first start on January 14, in a 1100m Maiden Plate won by Respectable Rock, but two weeks later won a similar event over 1200m, beating Bomber Pilot.

All the fillies will carry 58 kgs. Calvin Habib rides Sweet Tea and Brendon McNaughton will pilot Hollywood on Set. Francois Herholdt is on Dartagna while Sherman Brown takes Wild Imogen.

I am not keen on predicting the eventual outcome…it could even depend upon the rain.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Sweet Tea with Fanie Chambers aboard. Calvin Habib rides on Sunday.