13 THREE TO TANGO – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

13 Drawn 12 52.0 6-year-old horse

Owner:  Mr J Koumides & Mr C M & Mrs E B Shepherd & Mr C G & Mrs K M Bonthrone

Breeder: Mr G J Armitage – Trainer: Debra Swanson

Breeding: Greys Inn (USA) – Danseuse by Joshua Dancer (USA)

Colours: Brown, white crossed sashes, green sleeves and cap

Three To Tango has won seven races from 1200m to 2400m, including the 1600m Tote Free Handicap and the 2020 Zimbabwe Derby, and has been placed 18 times in 37 starts.

Eight of his unplaced runs have come since July 2020. He is still an entire and perhaps didn’t have his mind right, but fortunately, he has shown signs of a return to form in his last two starts when fourth over 1600m and a winner over 1800m at the April 24 meeting in heavy going. Not back to his best but getting there.

In the Castle Tankard, Three To Tango is due to carry 52 kgs and a jockey has yet to be declared. He is drawn 12 and when betting opened was 14/1.  The only time this 6-year-old has carried 52kgs was in the Tote Free which he won when he was three.

If Three To Tango really is back to being his reliable old self, he could make this field – most of whom he knows very well – run for their money.

Photograph By Zimbabwe Equine News

12 HEIR LINE – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

12 Drawn 10 52.0 8-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs P D Gorringe, S P Gorringe, V Patel, D K Ward & G Carter, G M Littleford, S H Murray & P C Rugg

Breeder: Varsfontein Stud – Trainer: Debra Swanson

Breeding: Dynasty – Kiss And Fly by Jet Master

Colours: White, blue band of diamonds, yellow sleeves and cap

Heir Line has been around for a while and during 2020 took some time off to do a bit of show jumping before returning to race at Borrowdale Park.

He raced in KZN in 2017 where he won two races over 1600m and 1750m and then came to Zimbabwe. He won a 1700m MR 80 in June 2018, and a month later came out to win the 1900m Republic Cup (Gr3), beating Simona.

Since then, he has won three races from 1800m to 2700m, been placed several times, and in his last three outings has performed well, coming third to Obscure over 2000m, second behind Lily Blue in the 2000m Champions Breeders Cup (L), and half a length off Armstrong in the 1600m MR 88 Handicap on April 24.

This all adds up to Heir Line – a 7-time winner – carrying 52 kg over a 2000m trip which will suit him perfectly. He ran fifth in the 2019 Tankard won by Peggson, carrying 59.5 kgs, and was “resting” in 2020.

So – don’t discount Heir Line.

Photograph by Laurent Viguie.

11 CITRUSDAL – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

11 Drawn 2 52.0 5-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs R S Dyer, S N Buchan, N Evans, M K Chant, G de Jong, A Dixon, R Morgan, R Sherwood & Bryn Ressell

Breeder: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) – Trainer: Bridget Stidolph

Breeding: Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) – Key Bluff by Qui Danzig (USA)

Colours: Orange, white Maltese cross, sleeves and cap

Citrusdal is the fourth runner from the Stidolph yard and rather an enigma – I think. He has won six races from 1100m to 1900m and been placed 12 times from 26 starts.

His last outing was on April 24 when narrowly beaten by Three to Tango – both showing welcome signs of a return to form.

There can be few stamina doubts as Citrusdal ran second to At The Office over 2700m on June 5, but then finished way down the field in a 2700m event won by Heir Line in October. He can also sprint and won over 1100m Hachiman Sprint in yielding going on January 9, beating Emerald Floe.

I cannot imagine what Citrusdal will do on Castle Tankard Day. Morgan Nyamagwete rides and knows this son of Duke Of Marmalade well. He was 18/1 when betting opened.  Be brave – have a flutter.   

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

10 LOVE THE VIEW – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

10 Drawn 8 52.0 4-year-old gelding

Owner:  Mr C J Danckwerts and Mrs Laura de Haast

Breeder: Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd – Trainer: Thomas Mason

Breeding: Global View (USA) – I Love Her (IRE) by Sadler’s Wells (USA)

Recent arrival Love The View had to race at Borrowdale on April 24 in order to be in the Castle Tankard and Thomas Mason said “running on for second showed he had taken his trip from Durban via Johannesburg well.”

Only Him won that 1200m Allowance Plate in heavy going, and Love The View, with Apprentice Walter Shumba on board, was receiving 5 kgs. As far as local fans go, the Global View (USA) gelding is an unknown quantity and one must wonder when, and if, the effect of a change of altitude is going to click in.

Previously trained by Carl Hewitson, Love The View won three races in KZN from 1400m to 1750m and was 2.40 lengths off the winner, Donald McDonald, over the Greyville 1900m in October. He will carry 52kgs in the Tankard, has a reasonable draw, and Ashton Arries rides.

Love The View was at 5/1 when the Tankard betting opened and whatever the outcome let’s hope this grandson of the late, great, Galileo, enjoys the day.

9 TRUE BEAUTY – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

9 Drawn 7 55.5 4-year-old filly

Owner:  Ms S P Moyo & Mr G Tafeni

Breeder: Bosworth Farm Stud – Trainer:  Thomas Mason

Breeding: Skitt Skizzle – Beautiful Jo by Silvano (GER)

Colours: Red, red and black checked sash and sleeves, red cap, black peak

Four-year-old True Beauty faces the toughest test of her career but always gives her best. Her five wins include the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap and the 1600m Tote Free, and she was a close second to Dindingwe in the 2021 Zimbabwe Guineas (Gr3).

True Beauty has been in Thomas Mason’s yard since December and has won twice, over 1600m and 1700m. Only Him ran half a length behind her in the 1700m Middle Stakes on March 6 when True Beauty was in receipt of 3 kgs.

It is always interesting when younger up-and-coming horses take on their proven elders in a big race. True Beauty seems to be maturing well but it is hard to assess how she will handle the longer trip – however, she is out of a Silvano mare. When betting opened she was 9/2.

Go well True Beauty.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

8 BUGATTI BLUE – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

8 Drawn 5 55.5 7-year-old gelding

Owner:  Centaur Syndicate (Nom: Mr C J Danckwerts)

Breeder: Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd – Trainer: Debra Swanson

Breeding: Traffic Guard (USA) – Vintage Event by Braashee (GB)

Colours: Orange, black maltese cross, white cap

Jackie Cocksedge is a member of the Centaur Syndicate so who better to ask for a few pointers about their Castle Tankard runner?

She said: “Bugatti Blue was originally named Oldsmobile.  He is by far the most successful progeny of the very disappointing sire, Traffic Guard (USA).

“He was spotted by the eagle-eyed trainer, Kirk Swanson, on the Ready To Run Sales, from the videos they produce of the gallops. Centaur Syndicate were looking for a horse, and we chose him from a selection of three, and we changed his name.

“As a three-year-old Bugatti Blue ran fourth to Knuckleball in the middle leg of the Triple Crown over 2000mm and in the Zimbabwe Derby over 2400m. He does not sprint and seems to prefer a bit of give in the going. He likes to run from the front as he doesn’t really have a turn of foot in a finish.

“He has now won 8 races for the Centaur Syndicate and been placed in 42 starts. He is as honest as the day is long and has been a wonderful horse to own. Not bad for an R11 000 purchase.”

Thank you, Jackie.  I will only add that Bugatti Blue opened at 14/1 in the betting, and I would not leave him out of a larger quartet.  Have a close look at his last three starts – two over 2000m and the last over 1600m – and who else ran there.  It is interesting reading.

Photograph by Laurent Viguie

7 ARMSTRONG – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

7 Drawn 1 55.5 6-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs G Goksel, A P Nydam & F Vahab

Breeder: Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud – Trainer: V Birketoft

Breeding: Var (USA) – Walkingonthemoon (AUS) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Armstrong (opening betting 12/1) won his first race over the Turffontain 1400m in December 2018 when trained by Mike de Kock.  His second success came at Borrowdale over 1200m in November 2019 when in the Gokhan Terzi yard.

Altogether Armstrong has won seven races from 1200 to 1600m and he has yet to try the 2000m trip. He ran 3.10 lengths off Yarraman in the 1800m National Foods Cup in 2020, both carrying 56 kgs.  Mr Greenlight, Wantage and Three to Tango finished in front of Armstrong and Holy Land was behind.

His next bid over 1800m was in the 2021 OK Grand Challenge (Gr2) and again he finished midfield. There were 17 runners – some of whom he will meet on May 7 – so midfield wasn’t too bad.

Without question, to date, Armstrong has performed best up to 1600m.  His last start over this distance was in an MR 88 Handicap on April 3 which he won with claiming apprentice Munashe Josi on board – Heir Line was a close second and Three To Tango further back.

How will Armstrong fare in the big one – drawn well and with a reasonable galloping weight? Only time will tell.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News.

6 WANTAGE – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

6 Drawn 9 56.0 5-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs R S Dyer, S N Buchan, N Evans, M K Chant, G de Jong, A Dixon, R Morgan, R Sherwood & Bryn Ressell

Breeder: Newbury Racing & Breeding Ltd Trainer: Bridget Stidolph

Breeding: Ato – Angora by Tamburlaine (IRE)

Colours: White and orange checked diamonds, white sleeves, orange cap

I respect Wantage, listed at 14/1 in the opening betting. 

As a three-year-old he had his illustrious stable companion, Lily Blue, to contend with. He won the 1600m Tote Free Handicap and the Guineas Trial over the same distance, and the Zimbabwe 2000 (Gr3), while coming second to Lily Blue in the Zimbabwe Guineas and the Zimbabwe Derby.

Both horses had their first outing in a 1200m Maiden Plate in April 2019 and Wantage beat Lily Blue by two lengths.  If he had known what was to come, he would have savoured that moment but, that said, Wantage has been consistent and also won another four races from 1600m to 2000m, vanquishing several of this year’s Castle Tankard runners in the process.

In the 2021 Pioneers & Heroes Tankard Wantage ran second, five lengths behind Dindingwe. He was ridden by claiming apprentice Walter Shumba that day so was well off in the weights but still.

Wantage’s most recent victory came in the 1700m Middle Stakes on January 9 in yielding going.  Only Him was a quarter of a length behind at level weights, while 2022 Tankard runners Heir Line, True Beauty, Armstrong and Bugatti Blue were further back.

Admittedly Wantage has run below par in his last three starts, but on his day he can pull out all the stops. Think about him.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.  After a change of ownership Wantage is running in new colours and so the choice of pics was limited.

5 ONLY HIM – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

5 Drawn 4 57.5 4-year-old gelding

Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D E Evans)

Breeder: Moutonshoek Trainer: Bridget Stidolph

Breeding: Mambo In Seattle (USA) – Only Emily by Captain Al

Colours: Cerise, navy blue chevron and sleeves, cerise cap

When the betting opened this week Only Him was at 3/1 and Finchatton 33/10 so, if one wants to split hairs, Only Him was favourite.

By Mambo In Seattle (USA), Bridget Stidolph’s charge has won four of his 9 Borrowdale starts from 1200m to 2400m, including the 2021 Zimbabwe Derby (Gr3), and when he hasn’t won Only Him has usually been in close contention. Before that he raced three times in Gauteng in the Alec Laird yard and won over 1400m.

For the big race on Saturday, May 7th, Only Him is drawn well and weight-wise will meet some of his former rivals on slightly better terms – but not all. For instance, his stablemate Wantage will be receiving 1.5 kgs and he has sometimes had the upper hand at level weights. Both are distance suited, so too the other runners from the Stidolph yard – Lily Blue and Citrusdal.

Only Him’s last start was on April 24 over 1200m – a trip he has never tried before, and he finished clear of recent arrival Love The View who would also have preferred further.  It wasn’t much of a race and I didn’t expect either to shine, but class will out.

Come the day other factors will come into play such as race tactics, and a little bit of luck in the running.  There is time for punters to reach for their calculators and compare weights with distances and so forth.  I am simply going to say that Only Him must be a big runner.

Photograph by Laurent Viguie.

2022 TANKARD RUNNER

4 Drawn 3 57.5 MR GREENLIGHT 6-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs G Goksel & B M McLauchlan

Breeder: Nadeson Park Stud – Trainer: V Birketoft

Breeding: Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Rakara by Rakeen (USA)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Mr Greenlight won his first race in Zimbabwe in August 2020, a 1000m Graduation Plate, but prior to that had won two races at Greyville, over a mile. He won his next start for trainer Gokhan Terzi over 1600m and then three more from 1260m-1600m, for the same yard.

In 2021 Mr Greenlight ran second to Wantage in both the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) and the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) but ran disappointingly in the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr3) won by Finchatton. It must have been around this time that Vanessa Birketoft obtained her full trainer’s licence, and Mr Greenlight disappointed again in the 1800m National Foods Plate won by Holy Land.

When the Tankard betting opened Mr Greenlight was 20/1 and it is difficult to see him as a serious contender over the Tankard distance. He has won 7 races from 1000m to 1600m so appears to prefer a shorter trip.

However, his best performance over further was when second to Wantage in the 2021 Breeders Champions Cup on April 4, 2021. Mr Greenlight finished 3 lengths behind the winner to whom he was conceding 2 kgs – so I may be wrong.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

3 Drawn 11 58.5 HOLY LAND 6-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs G Goksel, G Carter, D T Machingaidze and Mesdames P J Lewis, C M de Jong, and S Ziehl

Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein – Trainer: V Birketoft

Breeding: Ideal World (USA) – Lalibela by Silvano (GER)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Vanessa Birketoft fields three runners in the Castle Tankard and when the betting opened Holy Land was quoted at 5/1.

Originally trained by Dennis Drier, Holy Land campaigned extensively in KZN and Gauteng, and won a 1600 Maiden Plate at Greyville in September 2018. His next victory was at Borrowdale Park in June 2020 when trained by Thomas Mason, Holy Land won the 1600m Independence Trophy. After joining the Terzi yard, the son of Ideal World won two over 1500m and 1600m.

Holy Land, now trained by Vanesa Birketoft, won his next three starts in October and November 2021, and these included the 1800m National Foods Plate and the 1450m Zimbabwe Challenge.  Kabelo Matsunyane, was riding. In the National Foods Plate 2022 Tankard hopefuls Wantage, Finchatton, Mr Greenlight and Three To Tango were further back.

In his last three starts, Holy Land was a length behind Dindingwe in a Pinnacle Plate 100, conceding 3 kgs to the winner and beating Wantage, Armstrong, Heir Line and Three To Tango; he was a close second to Finchatton in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes, at level weights, and finally, fifth in the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 13 when he carried top weight in yielding going.

Holy Land is undoubtedly a horse with ability.  I have slight doubts about the Tankard distance but for the progeny of Ideal World (USA) this should not be a concern.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.