As expected, Zambezi Rapids reversed the result with Wantage, recent winner of the Zimbabwe 2000, when they met in the 1800m Allowance Plate at Borrowdale Park on Friday.  

Wantage was giving his rival 5 kgs and, coming from a long way back, finished only 1.75 lengths behind him.  In the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby they will meet at level weights and both will have their supporters, although on breeding Zambezi Rapids (Dynasty – Cool River by Western Winter (USA) probably has the edge over Bridget Stidolph’s charge (Ato – Angora by Tamburlaine (IRE).

We shall see.

Trained by Kirk Swanson, with Norbert Takawira up, Zambezi Rapids is owned by Messrs C & R Kieswetter and bred by Highlands Farms Stud (Pty) Ltd. Wantage (Nyamagwete) is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd. (nominee Mr D E Evans) and bred by Newbury Racing & Breeding Ltd.  Well done everyone – we look forward to another great race.

On Friday Tree Of Wisdom (*Satombo) tried to make every post a winning one, but had to settle for third, and Prescott was fourth.

Photograph of Zambezi Rapids taken by Andrew Philip.