…then that’s it until September…

The Borrowdale Park race meeting on Sunday is the last one before the annual racing break – so no more local racing until September. To soften that blow there are eight races on the card, the first due off at 11.30 am.

With one or two exceptions these are particularly competitive fields, starting with the 1700m Summerhill Stud MR 55 at noon where it is quite hard to say which of the 10 runners have n’t a hope of winning.  Haga Haga drops in class and pays the penalty, carrying 61 kgs.  Philanthropy is on 60 kgs, and this time Wee Doch ‘n Dorris comes in with 55.5kgs.  If it wasn’t for his wide draw I might really fancy his chances.  In between, there is all of Red Savage, It’ a True Story, Battle Cry and Red Rebel.  This should be a worthwhile Quartet – if you can narrow it down to four horses.

Main feature on Sunday is the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L) for two-year-olds. Bridget Stidolph fields five of the seven runners, including Rain Spider, Born To Shine and Mia Finola.  Without doubt, Kirk Swanson and Penny Fisher will be hoping to upset that applecart with Party In the Park and Pas de Deux respectively.

All these runners have yet to try the 1450m trip and the Fencing Master (GB) filly, Pas de Deux is the only one with two wins under her belt. However, all of Byword (GB), Windrush (USA) and Var (USA) have progeny in this one which is due off at 14.45.  Anything could happen.

Another very interesting race is the 1600m Fillies Stakes where Simona, who never puts a foot wrong, takes on 8 fillies and mares.  The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)  carries 60 kgs but is sure to top the betting boards.

Peggson carries 60 kgs in the 1700m Nadeson Park Pinnacle (80) – another race designed for Quartet fans who enjoy a challenge.

Expect some excellent racing and start studying form right now.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News: Rain Spider swept up to win the 1200m Champion Juvenile Stakes on June 17, narrowly beating Pas de Deux and Mia Finola.  This trio meet again on Sunday in the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L).