In form Brianna, and Obscure, Lily Blue’s sister, take on some rising stars in the Axia-sponsored 1600m Flashing Numbers Champion Fillies Stakes at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, but the two mares may not have the upper hand.

The four-year-old fillies, Jacky Sparrow, Walking Thru Time, and Zavannahgold, should make their elders run for the money. Brianna is set to carry 60 kgs and the rest of the field 52 and 50 – but Wes Marwing, on Obscure, is expected to weigh 53.5.

At the last Borrowdale meeting Obscure had a prep run up the straight, her previous start having been on the 10^th of March.

Jacky Sparrow’s last race was in June, which is the only reason why she is not getting my whole-hearted support.  

Some welcome heavy rain on Wednesday must also be considered. A change in the going could play a part in several of the interesting races on Saturday’s card. The unbeaten three-year-old Buster Barnes steps out in the What A Dandy MR 76 Divided Handicap where he takes on the likes of Regulate, Prince Of Kimberly and Qunetra over 1700m.

However, let’s not be distracted from the main race.  The field is listed below so please begin thinking. The first race on Saturday is off at 12:45.

1 BRIANNA 60.0 – M Nyamagwete – Gavin MacLeod

6yo m by Legislate – 7 wins from 1000-1260m including recent Sable Flyers (LR).

 2 SUN BIRD CARD SCRATCHING

3 JACKY SPARROW 52.0 – J R Syster – Debra Swanson

4yo f by Jackson – won 5 of her 7 starts including the 2023 Guineas Trial and 2023 Zimbabwe Guineas (Gr3). Distance suited. Rested 196 days.

4 OBSCURE 52.0 – Wes Marwing +1.5 – Bridget Stidolph

6yo m by Black Minnalouche (USA) – won 6 races from 1450 – 2200m. Prep run on 2nd December over 1260m after lengthy layoff.

5 WALKING THRU TIME 50.0 – M Thackeray 1.5 – Amy Parham

4yo f by Jay Peg. Winner of three 1600m races and a length off Jacky Sparrow in Fillies Classic.

6     ZAVANNAHGOLD 50.0 –   J Penny – Bridget Stidolph

4yo f by Var (USA) – Won 3 from 1260m – 1800m including the 2023 Silver Slipper (L) – and a close second to Jacky Sparrow in 1600m Fillies Classic.

Photographs: Zimbabwe Equine News