ENDING 2018 ON A HIGH NOTE

No more racing at Borrowdale Park until January but the last race meeting of 2018 ended well with good racing, some exciting finishes and (so I am told) a holiday atmosphere in the Ipi Tombe Room.

Edward The Seventh won the feature race, the 1450m Zimbabwe Challenge, and it was good to see so many ardent supporters of Zimbabwe racing being rewarded with winners during the afternoon.

I wish everyone a happy and stress-free festive season – and more winners in the New Year.

FIRST UP – THE BAR

The three-year-old Noordhoek Flyer filly, The Bar, beat stablemates Blue Label, Prairie Sky and Crown Brewed to the line in the 1200m Maiden Plate.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph, The Bar was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. She is owned by Messrs S N Buchan, N Evans, K Hatendi, Duncan Jones, H D Parbhoo and C M Rambo. Calvin Habib was in the irons.

Well done everyone.

A GOOD DAY FOR SWANSON YARD

Heir Line, carrying top weight in the 2000m MR 85 Handicap, provided Kirk Swanson with the first of four winners on Sunday – with stable companions Amsterdam, Perfect Grace and Solinski also in the money.

Winning margins 3.50, 3.75 and 4 lengths.

Owned by Dave Ward, Gary Carter, Sean Gorringe, Vikas Patel, Paula Lewis and Paul and Ursula Gorringe, Heir Line was bred by Varsfontein Stud and is by Dynasty. He has now won five from 15 starts. Sherman Brown was in charge.

Congratulations!

PIRATE HUNTER CLOSED SO NICELY

Americans talk about ‘closers’ and Pirate Hunter filled the bill on Sunday coming from behind to snatch the honours in a 2000m Novice Plate. Innovation, the long-time leader, was three-parts of a length behind, followed by Bold Australienne and Hashtag Rounda.

This made it a quick double for the Kirk Swanson/Sherman Brown combo. By Mullins Bay (GB) and bred by Summerhill Stud, Pirate Hunter is owned by Anna Mason, Sheldene Chant, Merlyn Chant, Guy Martell and Sterling Miller.

Nice work team.

PEAPACK CAN PICK ‘EM

Peapack, a close second over 1600m on December 1, found the winner’s box on Sunday in the 1700m Maiden Plate. Jarryd Penny was riding for Penny Fisher and this pair scored again in the last race.

Yaqueen finished two lengths back and then came Akon Cagua and Coastal Attraction.

By Byword (GB) and out of a Fort Wood (USA) mare, Peapack was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, and is owned by Dave Rosser and Gengiz Goksel.

Congratulations.

SILVANO(GER) FILLY SHOWS CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS

Penny From Heaven, having her first outing at Borrowdale Park in the 1700m Progress Plate, won comfortably with Wes Marwing up.

Peggson, giving away plenty of weight, was 3.50 lengths back. Israel and Yarraman were also placed.

Trained by Kirk Swanson, Penny From Heaven is owned by Dave Ward, Gary Carter, Sean Gorringe, Vikas Patel, Paula Lewis and Paul and Ursula Gorringe – all of whom were having a successful day.

The four-year-old, bred by Maine Chance Farms, has now won three from 11 starts – and there will surely be more to come.

EDWARD THE SEVENTH UP TO THE CHALLENGE

Edward The Seventh, bred in Zimbabwe by his owner Chris Peech at Rumbavu Stud, won the 2018 Zimbabwe Challenge over 1450 m.

The four-year-old son of Seventh Rock (AUS) out of a Kitalpha (USA) mare, has now won five and been placed four times from 12 starts. On Sunday Mathew Thackeray was riding for Kirk Swanson.

The winner finished two lengths clear of Twilight Trip, and then came Butchie Boy and Super Good. Kevin Barry, returning from a long break was fifth, followed by Road to Dubai.

For a while I thought Road To Dubai (5.75 lengths back) was going to do something but unfortunately the “saddle of ROAD TO DUBAI (W Marwing) slipped back in running as confirmed by a member of the Stipendiary Board”. A pity about that.

Hearty congratulations to the winning connections.

GET-OUT STAKES QUARTET ‘ONLY’ PAID $16 910.50

The fancied Cotton Rock won the last race, a 1260m MR 60 Handicap, but the inclusion of Silver Buck, Kilowatt Kid and Gateway Gamble in the placings resulted in a memorable Quartet dividend of $16 910.50.

A super Christmas Box for someone…or maybe the rest of us got lucky, no-one won, and all that money will be carried forward?

Owned by Gengiz Goksel and Dave Rosser, Cotton Rock has now won three races. This five-year-old mare is by Rock of Rochelle (USA) and was bred by Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud. Jarryd Penny was riding again for Penny Fisher and this completed the stables’ Sunday double.

Local apprentices Omeara Rusike, Rodgers Satombo and Walter Shumba all completed qualifying rides here.

Congratulations to all concerned.