2022 TANKARD RUNNERS

1 Drawn 6 60.0 FINCHATTON 10 g

Owner:  Mr G Goksel – Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift -Trainer:   Gokhan Terzi

Breeding: Right Approach (GB) – Rose Lipped Maiden by Fort Wood (USA)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Finchatton will carry 60 kgs in the 2000m Castle Tankard (Gr1) to be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, May 7. Diego de Gouveia will be in the irons, and he has teamed up successfully with Finchatton before. 

Finchatton’s six victories from 1400m to 2000m include the 2021 OK Grand Challenge (Gr2) over 1800m, and the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) in February. In the 2021 Tankard, which is over 2000m, Finchatton ran fourth to Dindingwe who was receiving 3.5 kgs, but he won over the distance at the Vaal in January 2020 – and De Gouveia was riding that day.

On March 3 Finchatton finished 11.25 lengths off Lily Blue in the 200Om Breeders Champions Cup, in soft going while conceding 4.5 kgs to the winner.  Heir Line and Bugatti Blue were ahead of Finchatton, while Wantage was close behind him – all receiving weight from Gokhan Terzi’s charge.

In his last outing Finchatton was fourth in the 1600m Independence Trophy won by What A Dandy. Bugatti Blue and True Beauty were placed second and third, with weight on their side, and Holy Land, Mr Greenlight and Lily Blue were further back. The going was yielding.

Finchatton is a worthy contender and was 33/10 when the 2022 Tankard betting opened on Monday. Lily Blue, who will also carry 60 kgs, was at 4/1.  This is beginning to look like a pretty open race, and good going would be helpful.

More later.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.