Midfield Girl is a card scratching which leaves a field of four for the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby at Borrowdale Park on Wednesday.

Tigers Eagle, a recent winner over 2700m, is the only member of this quartet to have raced further than 2000m – but given a chance who knows what the others might do. The first race on Wednesday’s 7-race card is due off at 12 20 pm and the Derby (third leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown) takes place at 15 40.

1 MASTER MING

Trainer: Thomas Mason – Jockey: W Shumba

Breeding: Toreador (IRE) – Madame Ming by Overlord (AUS)

Colours: Russet, orange and yellow armbands, black cap.

He won his first start over 1000m in July 2021 and was distantly placed in the 1600m Tote Free Handicap and the Zimbabwe2000(Gr3) won by his stable companion Cutback.  I have yet to be convinced that staying is his preference.

2 CORDOBESA

Trainer: Bridget Stidolph – Jockey: J Penny

Breeding: Great Britain (GB) – Run Girl Wild by Fort Wood (USA)

Colours: Black, white hoop, yellow sleeves and cap

Winner of a 1600m Maiden Plate at Greyville and subsequently placed over 1700m and 1900m.  Won her first start – a 1700m Pinnacle Plate 85 – at Borrowdale in April when Seven Seas, Differentiate and Obscure were behind her.  However, Seven Seas, 0.25 lengths back, gave Cordobesa 9 kgs. The three-year-old filly has been well beaten in her next three starts – possibly due to the change in altitude. Quite an interesting runner.

3 CUTBACK

Trainer: Thomas Mason – Jockey: F Herholdt

Breeding: Twice Over (GB) – Suedette by Dynasty

Colours: Shocking pink, black chevrons, shocking pink sleeves, black armbands and cap

Won twice over 1600m before beating Regulate by 1.25 lengths in the Zimbabwe2000(Gr3). Next time out Cutback was involved in the closest of finishes with Empress Of Jade in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks, when Tigers Eagle and Midfield Girl were further back.  Cutback is gutsy and all heart – I only wish there was a bit more of her. She has yet to race further than 2000m but hold thumbs.

TIGERS EAGLE

Trainer: DJ Swanson – Jockey: T Gould\

Breeding: Flying The Flag (IRE) – Neck Of The Woods by Al Mufti (USA)

Colours: Gold and black checks, gold sleeves, black seams, collar and cuffs, gold cap

Won a 1700m Maiden Plate and the 1600m Tote Free Handicap. Consistently placed from 1800m to 2000m before winning a 2700m MR70 Handicap on June 4 when Midfield Girl, receiving 2 kgs, was 2.75 lengths behind. Tigers Eagle has ability and will, without doubt, see out the 2400m Derby trip.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.