Although I do not believe in racing certainties it is hard to imagine Jacky Sparrow will not win the 1800m Silver Slipper (L) – second leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara – at Borrowdale Park on Wednesday.

The three-year-old daughter of Jackson, trained by Debra Swanson, already has the first leg, the 1600m Fillies Classic, under her belt. Zavannahgold seems the most likely to cause an upset – or maybe Coffeeberry and My Secret Place can surprise.

Jeffery Syster rides Jacky Sparrow for the first time here. This filly won five of her first six starts. She beat Zavannahgold by 0.25 lengths at level weights in the Fillies Classic, and both Coffeeberry and My Secret Place were much further back. On Wednesday all the runners carry 58 kgs.

Her last outing was in the OK Grand Challenge won by Down To Business (Syster) on June 3. Both Jacky Sparrow and Zavannahgold carried 52 kgs and finished 2.50 and 4 lengths, respectively, behind the winner who was giving them 2.5 kgs.

For the record, Jacky Sparrow beat Down To Business in the Guineas Trial and the Zimbabwe Guineas, earlier in the season.

Zavannahgold, by Var (USA), is trained by Bridget Stidolph and Jarryd Penny has the ride. She won over 1260m and dead-heated with Down To Business over 1700m on April 21, when in receipt of 5.5 kgs.

Coffeeberry (Master Of My Fate), the second Stidolph runner, will have Diego da Gouveia on board. In February she beat Bruce’s Spirit over 1700m when in receipt of 2.5 kgs. The older horse turned the tables, subsequently, when they met over 2000m.

My Secret Place (Vercingetorix) has recently joined Amy Bronkhorst’s yard, and Nikki Sibanda rides. She won a 1600m Maiden Plate on June 3, and prior to that has been thereabouts in most of her starts.

There are six races on Wednesday’s card and the first is due off at 12 20. The Silver Slipper is at 15 15.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Jacky Sparrow, nearest the camera, was involved in a battle royal with stable companion Down To Business in the 2023 Zimbabwe Guineas. She won by 0.10 lengths.