PLEASE BE AWARE THE NEXT BORROWDALE PARK RACE MEETING IS ON SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY.
UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT EDIT THIS SITE AT PRESENT AND THE RELEVANT INFORMATION USUALLY POSTED HERE IS NOT BEING UPDATED. HOPING TO RETURN TO NORMAL SOON.
The first race at Borrowdale Park today, Saturday 11th February 2023, is off at 12.35 pm and the main race, the 1450m Zimbabwe Challenge, is at 15.20.
There are eight acceptors for Borrowdale Park’s feature, the Zimbabwe Challenge over 1450m, and as several took part in a similar race on July 31, that could have some bearing on Saturday.
What A Dandy carrying 60 kgs won the Breeders Sprint at the end of July. Holy Land, also on 60 kgs, ran third, 2.60 lengths back; then came True Beauty (57.5 kgs) and 2.65 lengths behind the winner. Mr Greenlight (60 kgs) was further back that day but meets What A Dandy on better terms this time.
Only Him, Lily Blue, Three To Tango and Brianna also take part on Saturday and are quite capable of spoiling the most fancied runners’ fun. However. the important factor is probably the going.
It was heavy at the last Borrowdale meeting and the rain hasn’t stopped. However, with a bit of luck, it could be yielding rather than heavy underfoot – so I still think What A Dandy may do it again, even carrying 62 kgs..
Photographs by Gavin Macleod, Jenny Stock and Laurent Viguie. Top Left: MR GREENLIGHT. Below Right: TRUE BEAUTY.
Jackie Sparrow, a three-year-old daughter of Jackson, has won two of her three starts and she steps out again on Saturday in a 1450m MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares.
Although Debra Swanson’s charge won the 1600m Guineas Trial at the last Borrowdale meeting, beating stable companion Down To Business, the race where she ran second was probably the most impressive. This was a 1500m MR 60 Handicap on 15 December where she was 5 lengths off Raining Again with all of Days Gone By, Mustatheef, Deposition, Chetan, At The Office, Pacific Duke and Testify behind her.
This time Jacky Sparrow has to deal with Ian’s Ferrari, her stable mate Justadoreher, and Powder Puff.
Interesting.
Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Jacky Sparrow, winner of the 2023 Guineas Trial, trained by Debra Swanson and owned by Grant Littleford, Spencer Murray and Paul Rugg. Ashton Arries was in the irons.
I am stepping back from Social Media for a while but may not be able to completely resist LoveRacingZimbabwe, the Facebook Group page, and Twitter. In the meantime, I hope you are all having a super start to 2023. See you later.
Photograph by Gavin Macleod: What a wonderful finish to the 2023 Hachiman Sprint at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. The race was won by Varnica (Takawira) from stablemate Tulip Way (Satombo). Both horses owned by Messrs P D Gorringe, S P Gorringe, V Patel, D K Ward & G Carter, and trained by Debra Swanson.
The 1100m Hachiman Sprint on Saturday was won by Varnica in the most exciting of finishes involving stable companion Tulip Way. Debra Swanson trained five of the six winners on the card – and Norbert Takawira rode four of them. Great stuff.
Although the going was heavy the course was looking good. Spruced up and sparkling. What a difference some paint makes! The TV coverage by 4Racing on DSTV was also greatly improved. All so encouraging.
The feature race at Borrowdale Park on Saturday is the 1100m Hachiman Sprint.
This race was won in yielding going last year by Citrusdal, closely followed by Emerald Floe and then came Varnica and Mind Master. Of this quartet all but Citrusdal line up again but there has been quite a turnaround in some of the weights.
As only 7 jockeys will ride at this meeting, recent import Brianna only takes part if there is a scratching.
Vanessa Birketoft probably has a strong hand with Oden and Mind Master, while Veseo will represent the Amy Bronkhorst stable. Debra Swanson will saddle Tulip Way and Varnica, while in addition to Emerald Floe, Bridget Stidolph sends out Love To Bluff.
There has been plenty of rain about and. on Tuesday. a trainer said the one thing one could count on was plenty of unfit horses should the wet weather continue.
The first race on Saturday is due off at 13 40 and the Hachiman Sprint is at 16 30 pm
Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.
Unfortunately, no pic of Brianna 58.0 86 A …………… Gavin MacLeod.
VARNICAMIND MASTERTulip Way and Veseo complete the field
2022 CHAMPION FILLIES STAKES… WON BY TRUE BEAUTY – LIKE THE CHAMPION SHE IS – AT BORROWDALE PARK YESTERDAY Congratulations to the winning owners. Sibongile Moyo and George Tafeni, her trainer Thomas Mason, and jockey Francois Herholdt.
The first race at Borrowdale Park today, 15th December 2022, is off at 13.15 pm and the main race, the Health Point Champion Fillies Stakes is at 16.05.
Borrowdale Park’s last meeting of 2022 takes place on Thursday. The feature is the 1600m HealthPoint Champion Fillies Stakes where I will not be taking sides with any of the 8 runners.
This is an impressive bunch, including crowd pleasers Lily Blue and True Beauty, but both will be giving away many kgs to the likes of Masaaken, Obscure and Tigers Eagle, as well as others who could be sneaky. So, I will be sitting on the fence for this one, while expecting an especially exciting race.
Have a look at the field:
1 (2) LILY BLUE 6m 60.0 (MR98) M Thackeray – Bridget Stidolph – 12 wins 1000m – 2400m
Owner: Ms Robyn Macleod & Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate (Nom: Miss K Stidolph); Breeder: Mr G J Armitage; Breeding: Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Mammy Blue (ZIM) by Kitalpha (USA)
2 (6) TRUE BEAUTY 5m 60.0 (MR 99) F Herholdt – Thomas Mason – 6 wins 1200m – 2000m
Owner: Ms S P Moyo & Mr G Tafeni; Breeder: Bosworth Farm Stud; Breeding: Skitt Skizzle – Beautiful Jo by Silvano (GER)
Owner: Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate (Nom: Miss K Stidolph); Breeder: Mr G J Armitage; Breeding: Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Mammy Blue (ZIM) by Kitalpha (USA)
Owner: Messrs P D Gorringe, S P Gorringe, V Patel, D K Ward & G Carter; Breeder: Gary Player Stud (Pty) Ltd; Breeding: Var (USA) – Muvango by Manshood (GB)
Full sisters, Lily Blue and Obscure, have stood their ground in the 1600m HealthPoint Champion Fillies Stakes, to be run at Borrowdale Park on Thursday.
This well-performed pair run in the colours of the Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate (some of whom are seen here). The girls will be out in force on Thursday – for sure – and giving it their best shout.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 