With only five runners in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks (L) (last leg of our Triple Tiara), Raven Girl, winner of the second leg, the 1800m Silver Slipper (L), is likely to start outright favourite at Borrowdale Park on Sunday afternoon.

The daughter of Philanthropist (USA) won a 1800m MR 68 Handicap on Castle Tankard Day, beating the older and wiser Designer Pot, who was conceding 1.5 kgs, by 5 lengths.

Sunday’s runner, Wild Imogen, won the first leg of the Triple Tiara, the 1600m Fillies Classic, but Raven Girl was only 0.05 lengths behind her. In the Silver Slipper Wild Imogen (second) finished three lengths back.

Recent Novice Plate dead-heaters, In The Mood and Magical Charm, seem evenly matched. Neither have raced further than 1600m, to date, but on breeding both should see out the 2000m trip.

On previous form the Antonius Pius (USA) filly, Sweet Tea, will have to improve drastically to feature. With recent Tankard winner, Roman Discent, in mind I am not going to say she can’t do that!

It is, however, probably safe to say that whoever beats Raven Girl wins.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News: Above – Raven Girl.  Below the Bold Silvano filly In The Mood.