Four of the six runners in the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR) raced at the Borrowdale Park meeting on 8 October, so they should be in fine fettle on Sunday.

Masaaken and Obscure are coming back from a long break but, as neither is distance-suited, it is probably safe to assume that for them this is a pipe opener.

 (Famous last words, possibly.)

Bridget Stidolph fields Emerald Floe and Ian’s Ferrari, while Debra Swanson will saddle Varnica and Keen Spirit. At first glance, Emerald Floe and Varnica seem the pick, but the not-so-experienced Keen Spirit will have weight on her side and it will be interesting to see what she can make of this.

1 1 MASAAKEN (AUS) 62.0 (MR88) BA Danielson – Debra Swanson

5m by Teofilo (IRE) – Lahqa (AUS) by Stratum (AUS)

Won 5 races in Gauteng from 2000m – 2850m. She has had 3 starts at Borrowdale, winning a 2000m MR 80 Handicap on July 13.

2 4 EMERALD FLOE 59.5 (MR83) Se Penny – Bridget Stidolph

5m by Oratorio (IRE) – Emerald Beauty (ARG) by Equalize (USA)

Has won five races from 1100m – 1300m so is distance suited. Last outing on October 8 when a close second to Abayyaan over 1260m. The winner was receiving 8 kgs and Varnica was further back. A serious contender.

3 5 VARNICA 59.0 (MR82) T A Satombo – Debra Swanson

6m by Var (USA) – Muvango by Manshood (GB)

An 11-time winner from 1100m – 1260m and now 0.5 kg better off with Emerald Floe.  Certainly, in with a shout.

4 6 OBSCURE 58.0 (MR80) A Shumba – Bridget Stidolph

5m by Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Mammy Blue (ZIM) by Kitalpha (USA)

Has won five from 1450m – 2200m so is likely to need further 

5 3 KEEN SPIRIT 53.5 (MR72) BA Derere – Debra Swanson

4 f by Skitt Skizzle – Caesour’s Spirit by Caesour (USA)

Has won three races from 1100m to 1260m and beat Ian’s Ferrari on 8 October by 2.50 lengths when giving her 2.5 kgs. Keen Spirit takes on tougher opposition on Sunday but I fancy her chances.

6 2 IAN’S FERRARI 52.0 (MR61) Se Thackeray – Bridget Stidolph

4f by Wylie Hall (AUS) – Champagne ‘N Roses by Goldmark

This 2-time winner over 1500m and 1700m will have to dig deeper to best Keen Spirit over Sunday’s trip. Both these four-year-olds have a massive pull In the weights but will that be enough in this company?

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News

Below: Keen Spirit (left) and Ian’s Ferrari