LAST MEETING OF 2018/19 SEASON

For Saturday Borrowdale Park has come up with a nine-race card, including three features, to round off the 2018/19 racing season.

The meeting begins at 12. 25 pm and the last race is at 17.05. Also, worth mentioning is that this time five trainers – Penny Fisher, Thomas Mason, Gavin McLeod, Bridget Stidolph and Kirk Swanson – have runners. There are several very competitive fields, and all seems set for interesting racing. Thinking caps will be required during most of the day.

Mia Finola with Calvin Habib up is likely to collect the 2019 Triple Tiara, having already won the first two legs, the 1600m Fillies Classic and the 1800m Silver Slipper. She takes on former rivals, Born To Shine, Missy Franklin and Ineffable in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks at 15.15. This daughter of Var (USA) came third to Three To Tango in the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby so should be hard to head once more.

Next race on the card at 15.50 is the Breeders Sprint over 1450m which was won last year by Super Good, with Saturday’s runner, Amsterdam, placed third. This time the line-up includes the 1900m Republic Cup winner Tandava, and top sprinter, Coachella, as well as Twilight Trip, Heir Line, Butchie Boy and Bush Pilot. Every horse will carry 60 kgs which makes this a tough one.

Between them, this field has won 45 races, but several tend to shine over more ground.

Although none can be described as 1450m specialists, Coachella, Twilight Trip and Butchie Boy have sprint form, and Tandava could surprise again. Although he scored over 1900m at the last meeting, he won the 1160m Stakes in South Africa, and prior to that a 1400m MR 85 Handicap at Turffontein. At one time he was also quite nifty up the Borrowdale straight.

The 1200m Penny Fisher Testimonial Champion Juvenile Stakes at 16.30 is rather disappointing in that the six runners are all from the Stidolph stable. Love To Bluff has won twice and, apart from first-timer Jericho, the rest are one-time winners. I quietly fancy the filly, Gimmethegreenback, but Jericho is by Master Of My Fate whose progeny has been making waves lately.

This will be the last chance to win at Borrowdale for some time as the course will be closed for annual maintenance. So roll on Saturday when all will be revealed.