The first race at Borrowdale Park today (Sunday, February 20) is off at 12 10 and the Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) – last race of the day – is at 15 40.

The meeting can be viewed on DSTV Channel 249 – and the Borrowdale Park Livestream will be on Clocking The Gallop on UTube.

Tips, Final Fields, Online Card, Card Changes etc can be found on this site.

Have a wonderful afternoon.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News

All things being equal the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) to be run at Borrowdale Park on Sunday would be an exciting race – but they are not equal – which means super exciting in this case.

The four-year-old Futura filly, Dindingwe, is going for a hat-trick having won the 2000m Pioneers & Heroes Tankard on December 19, and the 1600m Pinnacle Plate 100 on January 23. She trounced Sunday’s runners Wantage, Finchatton and What A Dandy in the Tankard and sceptics said “Dindigwe went to the front and they were expecting her to come back to them and she didn’t. It won’t happen again”.

Then came the Pinnacle Plate where Dindingwe (57kgs) beat Holy Land (60 kgs) by a length, and Wantage (58 kgs) by two lengths. Wantage, with claiming apprentice Walter Shumba riding, will carry 56 kgs to Dindingwe’s 57.5 kgs on Sunday. Except for Bugatti Blue, who will have Apprentice Munashe Josi in the irons, all the other runners are set to carry 60 kgs and, make no mistake, they all have the credentials to win this on their day.

On paper, Dindingwe will have to dig deep to get the better of Wantage and Holy Land this time, and Captain of Tortuga will be having his third outing at Borrowdale Park. He broke the course record over 1200m in top company on November 6, but was 4.75 lengths off the winner, Coachella, in the Swift’ s Gold Cup, also 1200m.

By Captain Al and out of a Jet Master mare, Captain of Tortuga has won over 1600m at Turfffontein, so this will be interesting.

The going was heavy at the last Borrowdale meeting but there hasn’t been much rain since then. However, who knows what will have happened by Sunday. The weather seems unpredictable this year.

The 2022 Ipi Tombe runners are listed below. Of course, I would love to see the baby in this race, Dindingwe, win again – but I don’t think we can count on it.

1 Draw 7 CAPTAIN OF TORTUGA 60.0 (MR98) Penny – Bridget Stidolph – Captain Al – Ebony Flyer by Jet Master – 5 wins 1200m – 1600m

2 Draw 8 WHAT A DANDY 60.0 (MR97) Satombo – Debra Swanson – Just As Well (USA) – Leba (IRE) by King’s Best (USA) – 12 wins 1000m – 1800m

3 Draw 5 HOLY LAND 60.0 (MR96) Matsunyane – Vanessa Birketoft – Ideal World (USA) – Lalibela by Silvano (GER) – 7 wins 1450 – 1800m

4 Draw 1 FINCHATTON 60.0 (MR95) Danielson – Gokhan Terzi – Right Approach (GB) – Rose Lipped Maiden by Fort Wood (USA) – 8 wins 1400m- 1800m

5 Draw 3 FAREEQ (AUS) 60.0 (MR93) Derere – Vanessa Birketoft – Nadeem (AUS) – Azwa (AUS) by Haafhd (IRE) – 7 wins 110m – 1800m

6 Draw 6 WANTAGE 60.0 (MR92) *Shumba (4.0) – Bridget Stidolph – Ato – Angora by Tamburlaine (IRE) – 8 wins – 1200m – 2000m

7 Draw 2 BUGATTI BLUE 60.0 (MR90) *Josi (4.0) – Debra Swanson – Traffic Guard (USA) – Vintage Event by Braashee (GB) – 8 wins 1600m – 2400m

8 Draw 4 DINDINGWE 57.5 (MR97) Takawira – Debra Swanson – Futura – Miss Delish by Jallad (USA) – 8 wins 1000m – 2000m.

Same Trainer (1,6) (2,7,8) (3,5) – Photographs by Jenny Stock

Wantage won the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes last year, and Yarraman was the victor in 2020. Both have been nominated to run in the 2022 Ipi Tombe on February 20. Will they stand their ground?

Photographs Zimbabwe Equine News

There were several close finishes at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, February 6, 2022, but also some that were quite startling, in heavy going.

Seven Seas set the ball rolling when she finished 5 lengths clear of Fortuna Doro in the 1450m Pinnacle Plate.

Then came True Beauty in the 1700m Allowance Plate.

Differentiate (second) was 7 lengths back.

Finally, Deposition romped away with the 1600m MR 60 Handicap and at the wire was 8 lengths in front of Mill Creek.

Seven Seas went up to 85 (plus 3); True Beauty to 90 (also plus 3) – while Deposition is now on 60 (plus 8).

UP

Varnica +1 (79); Oden +4 (75) Fareeq +2 (93); Queen Of Dallas +1 (56); Karoo Winter +2 (43); Lady Sanga +3 (60).

DOWN

Wigdaan -1 (74); Chetan – 1 (47); Seattle Frost -3 (52); Master Ming – 4 (52); Sniper Fire -3 (43).

Photographs Zimbabwe Equine News

Call The Wind, by Twice Over (GB), was a most convincing winner of the 1600m Fillies Classic at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

The filly, trained by Vanessa Birketoft of V Racing, has now won all of her four starts. The Fillies Classic is the first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara, and Lady Sanza finished 3.50 lengths behind the winner, followed by Days Gone By and Keen Spirit. The going was heavy on Sunday and Call The Wind will be hard to beat, going forward.

The winning three-year-old is owned by Gengis Goksel and Calvin Habib was in the irons. This was the cherry on top for Calvin having already won on Oden, Fareeq and True Beauty earlier in the afternoon.

Call The Wind was bred by Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd.

Very well done everyone.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News

There are 8 races on today’s Borrowdale Park card including the Fillies Classic – first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara.

Updated information on Tips and Card Changes etc will be on this site.

Access to the course is free and today you can check out the new, family-friendly restaurant, Hops And Horses. The first race is off at 12 05.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Mill Creek a 7-year-old mare, and Deposition, a 6-year-old gelding, are older, so presumably wiser, than the rest in the 1600m MR 60 Handicap at Borrowdale Park tomorrow. The tipsters agree this pair are in with a good chance, but results may depend on the going.

The racecourse had 35mm on Friday afternoon, and it wasn’t rock-hard before that. This year I have lost all belief in weather prophets, but right now it looks gloomy enough to rain again – significantly.

Deposition, by Rock Of Gibrantar (IRE), has won two and been placed 13 times from 37 starts. He should do well in heavy going having won over 2200m at Greyville in good going and over 1950 at Scottsville when very soft underfoot. He has yet to score at Borrowdale but finished a length off Enrapture over 1500m on January 9, in yielding going.

Mill Creek, a five-time winner and placed 17 times in 40 races, Is by Pathfork (USA) and apart from a maiden win at Borrowdale over 1600m in good going has only raced twice, since then, further than 1260m. On April 28, 2019, in a 1700m Novice Plate, Mill Creek finished last and the jockey told the Stipes he felt the filly was better suited over shorter trips. On 16 August, 2020, Mill Creek tried the turn again in a 1450m MR 60 Handicap won by Rose Diamond. She was 3 lengths off the winner and Supa Memories, Bushman and Wee Doch ‘n Dorris were in front of Mill Creek – all quite accomplished over more ground.

Is that enough to justify most tipsters’ optimism? Time will tell. Wallaa, Hawi and Seattle Frost are possible dangers in what should be an interesting race. It is due off at 15 35.

The photograph of Mill Creek was taken by Zimbabwe Equine News at the last meeting. She is certainly pretty, and Norbert Takawira has the ride. Deposition will have Jarryd Penny aboard.

Call The Wind, a winner of her three starts, takes on one-time winners in the 1600m Fillies Classic at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – but it is not quite so simple.

Lady Sanzas’s debut win was spectacular – but this filly has not been tested since – and both Keen Spirit and Days Gone By come into the reckoning, having been around the bend before. It would help to be clairvoyant in this, the first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara. Last year the Fillies Classic was won by Dindingwe.

Fortunately, there Is still time to make what you will of the somewhat limited form and unpack your crystal balls and so forth. The Fillies Classic runners are listed below.

There are 8 races on Sunday’s card and the first race is off at 12.05. The Fillies Classic is at 16.10.

1 CALL THE WIND Drawn 4 – 58 kgs (MR77) C Habib – Vanessa Birketoft Twice Over (GB) – Silvan Wind by Silvano (GER) 3 starts 3 wins 1100m-1200m

On November 21 finished 2.50 lengths clear of Keen Spirit over 1200m when conceding 5 kgs. Highest rated filly in this one. This will be her first race over 1600m but bred to do it.

2 KEEN SPIRIT Drawn 3 – 58 kgs (MR61) N Takawira – Debra Swanson Skitt Skizzle – Caesour’s Spirit by Caesour (USA) 6 starts 1 win 4 places 1100m – 1600m.

At the last race meeting, Keen Spirit ran second to Cutback (1.50 lengths) in the 1600m Guineas Trial when both carried 60 kgs. Stable companion Days Gone By (receiving half a kilogram) was further back in heavy going.

3 DAYS GONE BY Drawn 1 – 58 kgs (MR57) J Penny – Debra Swanson Byword (GB) – Rememberance by Fort Wood (USA) 7 starts 1 win 4 places 1000m – 1800m.

Won an 1800m Maiden Plate on December 4 and was second to stablemate Tigers Eagle in the 1600m Tote Free. I expected her to do better in the Guinea Trial.

4 LADY SANZA Drawn 2 – 58 kgs (MR57) K Matsunyane – Gokhan Terzi Rafeef (AUS) – Supreme Dynasty by Dynasty 1 start 1 win over 1000m on October 10 and a mysterious ‘woman’.

The dogs began barking after Lady Sanza beat Ian’s Ferrari by four lengths on 10 October, and she was expected to win her next start by a country mile. However, Lady Stanza never ran on 19 December in the 1600m Tote Free, as a result of problems at the start. This will be her second race and first trip around the turn.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News

GAIL SANDRA AMYOT is passionate about racing – and has managed to sustain that passion despite living in Bulawayo where, sadly, the Ascot racecourse has been closed for years. Of course, Gail watched the Cape Met on Tellytrack on Saturday, and writes:

“The thing about the WSB Cape Met, was the absolute contrast to the very recent L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate meeting. To have two such very different meetings, held within a compact period, together with top-class racing, is the stuff of racing indeed. One was elegant, restrained but well organized and beautiful, the other colourful and vibrant – vocal and participatory on every level. I haven’t enjoyed racing in all its aspects so much for years! Kommetdieding is a real racehorse! Well done to the whole team!

“Just at what point on Saturday afternoon I realized that something was very different, I can’t be sure, but I do know it made me sit up. We have recently been treated to two stellar race meetings at Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town, and the contrast between them could not have been more marked. Toned in blue and white, with lots of sparkling Champagne, superb organisation and elegance, truly defined the LQP, together with the longstanding tradition that sets it apart.

“Fast forward a few weeks, filled with endless discussions, expertise and speculation, to the WSB Cape Town Met. Some of us were, it would be fair to say, a little nervous! Change is in the air in South African Racing, coupled with uncertainty, certainly, and it would be fair to say the Met. has had a few turbulent years. The recent withdrawal of a well-known sponsor did not help. Some might say only the participation of a much-loved horse by the name of Rainbow Bridge, kept the faithful following!

“However, It became clear that the City of Cape Town had pulled out a lot of stops and marketing of the 2022 Cape Met was colourful and successful.

“And then …… there was the reason for the big change – the people’s favourite, Kommetdieding. A four-year-old entire by Elusive Fort, owned by Ashwin Reynolds, a Capetonian. Kommetdieding was already the winner of the prestigious 2021 July Handicap, and his following has grown enormously, wonderfully, as it speaks of possibility to many.

“They came, in their hundreds, Ladies and Gentlemen in their vibrant, flowing finery, to shout their Champion over the line. The atmosphere was electric, with people everywhere, for the first time in several years. The right word for Saturday was ‘ rejoicing!’ Our Rainbow Bridge had recently gone to his well-earned retirement, but now here was another Champion for us to celebrate!

“What we got as a bonus, was more of a real ‘Rainbow’ race crowd – happy, as passionate as racegoers should be, cheering their Champion as he flew over the line, and following him as one, rejoicing, to the Winners Circle.

“Well done Cape Racing!”

And well said, Gail Amyot.

Last season’s Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, Dindingwe, easily won the 2000m Pioneers & Heroes Tankard on December 19 and handled the 1600m Pinnacle Plate 100 in a similar fashion when she came out again at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

One has to wonder if the daughter of Futura will prove even better as a four-year-old – and that would be saying something.

On Sunday Holy Land, Wantage and Armstrong were placed.

Norbert Takawira had the winning ride, and Dindingwe is trained by Debra Swanson. The lucky owners are Mr C M & Mrs E B Shepherd & Mr C G & Mrs K M Bonthrone, Messrs C J Danckwerts, G M Littleford, S H Murray, P C Rugg, P D Gorringe, S P Gorringe, V Patel,D K Ward & G Carter. The star filly was bred by Ndoro Stud.

Very well done everyone.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Mackelroy won the 1200m Novice Plate at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, with Bella Noir second and then came Tradition and Wallaa.

By Twice Over (GB), the four-year-old gelding is owned by Messrs B M McLauchlan, G Goksel, G S Knowles & A P Nydam, and was bred by Klawervlei Stud. The winning margins were 0.75, 1.75 and 0.25 lengths.

During the afternoon Denis Schwarz rode two more winners for V Racing – In Good Time, winner of the 1260m MR 82 Handicap, and later Shesalegend in the 1600m MR 75 Handicap.

Kabelo Matsunyane had come to the party for the yard when Al Mashriq won the first race, a 1200m MR 65 Handicap.

With four winners in total on Sunday, this was a V Racing field day.

Congratulations.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

Scott Buchan and Tom Mason after Cutback’s gutsy win in the 2022 Guineas Trial at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

Cutback, a daughter of Twice Over (GB), proved she is all heart when coming from behind she got up to beat Keen Spirit by one and a half lengths.  This was a back-to-back win for Cutback who quit the maidens at the previous meeting.  Teaque Gould was in the irons on Sunday and full marks to him for a competent ride.

Ian’s Ferrari and Days Gone By also finished in the money.

Trained by Thomas Mason of Tomcat Racing, Cutback is owned by Scott Buchan and Neil Evans and was bred by Mr LMF Wernars.

Congratulations everyone.