The 1100m Hachiman Sprint on Sunday is Borrowdale Park’s first feature race of 2020. It is a competitive field of six runners, including one dark filly – Alphabet Street – who makes her local debut.
This race is due off at 16.45.
I am going to stick my neck out and say Christofle, Silver Coin and What A Dandy should be involved in the finish – so watch one not mentioned win.
There are 8 races on the card – the first at 12.35 pm.
Have a nice day.
Zimbabwe only has one racecourse now – Borrowdale Park – but it is one of the best in Southern Africa. In addition to a 2700m course (turf) we have all the facilities. Some need TLC but we know what needs fixing and how to bring the crowds, and more owners and trainers, back. All that is needed is extra cash.
Do I think the racing community worldwide will rush to our rescue? Of course not – but are we missing some tricks?
I am fascinated by a recently published Facebook page – Kenya Horseracing – where appeals are made for financing an all-weather track, updating the stand, providing accommodation for visiting international jockeys, a casino, introducing hurdle races, as well as acquiring additional horses and trainers, and more.
At the same time the enterprising owner of the webpage is enthusiastically promoting Ngong racecourse and Kenyan racing while comparing costs of owning and racing horses in Kenya with costs in Britain. It would appear from Comments and Page Likes that he is generating quite a lot of initial interest in what he is offering.
A couple of things are not clear… such as… are the Ngong authorities actively involved in this initiative, and surely the amount of paperwork and red tape involved would be mind boggling. That said, promotion of racing on this continent is always welcome so the best of British luck and all that.
Back in the day there was some hurdle racing at Borrowdale Park – and at Ascot in Bulawayo. Stars of the show were Phil The Fluter, Emma O’Toole and Keith Chant, but I found it all rather nerve-wracking.
Racing in Zimbabwe has managed to keep its head just above water, so far, without much needed and significant injections of money. Amazing, considering the economic difficulties Zimbabwe has faced for years. However, the pool of horses, owners and trainers is sadly diminished, and we dream of bringing Borrowdale Park’s glory days back.
A vibrant racecourse boosts employment within the racing industry and it also benefits suppliers and other associated businesses.
When one considers the vast recent expenditures in strap-cashed Zimbabwe into agriculture and other ventures…seemingly without much accountability or meaningful return …. what racing would need to exit the doldrums is a mere bagatelle.
Hollywood Bets has recently teamed up with Gold Circle to boost racing in KZN. On Boxing Day, 26 December 2019, Greyville racecourse in Durban was packed without any huge feature race or special offers to draw the crowd. How did they do that?
Are we missing some tricks? It’s certainly worth thinking about.
“Thank you for taking the time to post on social media the criticism of how the MTC website is managed. Whilst I believe it is correct that people can express an opinion and post constructive feedback on these social media platforms I also believe that the best way to get a proper response is in the first instance to talk to those people responsible before posting.
“However … it is true that the MTC website has been an issue for many years. Whilst accepting that its responsiveness and content has to improve, I do note that the last update was around 30th November, not good but better than the 2015 material on there when the present ‘people responsible ‘took over. I will try not to revert to the stock response about having to prioritise spending the limited resources at our disposal but that particular albatross is a constant.
“The publication of the 2020 racing programme has been delayed as we felt it high time that the programme was reviewed in consultation with the trainers to reflect and meet the needs of our current racing stock, rather than just publish the same programme that had been in place for years. The trainers have had the programme since the racing centre meeting held on Tuesday 10 December 2019, at which every trainer was present. This will only be posted once finalised as each trainer has to agree to a variety of conditions, regardless of website condition.
“Which brings me to the issue of actually managing the website. I am not sure whom the writer thinks does this and if indeed if they are not doing their job if it is in the best interests of racing to replace them. This could have been cleared up with a phone call to me or Scott.
“The good news is that we have managed to secure the part-time services of a young lady to manage the existing content better than in the past but have also developed plans to improve the media hosting and content generation. This will take a few months to implement as we have to find the circa $4000 to purchase some equipment (sorry the albatross just pecked me).
“Anyhow debate is good for the soul so thank you for posting and I would just take this opportunity to thank Sheldene for all her hard work in providing this forum to enable such a debate.
“Finally, best wishes to all and hoping for a more prosperous but still fun-filled New Year “
THE ORIGINAL POST ON THIS SUBJECT – in case you missed it:
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MASHTURF WEB PAGE?
The Mashonaland Turf Club website has been a bone of contention for some time. The complaints mainly come from racing purists who may or may not own a racehorse but like to check things out, make plans – and rely on up-to-date information in order to do so.
Sadly, the MTC web page is seldom a source of up-to-date and meaningful content – and we won’t talk about the delays in posting videos. That has been covered often enough.
The Mashonaland Turf Club chairman, Gary Carter, believes people should be able to express a valid viewpoint – and if published on social media it gives the Turf Club a forum on which to reply. Who knows, an open debate could be both pro-active and productive.
So here goes…this dropped into my mailbox today:
“Is there any reason why the Mash Turf website cannot be kept up to date? I went to look at the racing programme to see what races might be available for Bugatti Blue. The current programme goes up to 30 July this year.
“Owners invest huge amounts of money into this industry usually for poor returns. Is it asking too much that those that are responsible for aspects of disseminating information do their job timeously and efficiently? If they can’t, then maybe they should be replaced with more competent people.”
What do you think about www.mashturf.co.zw? Don’t be shy.
says THE CENTAURIAN
Each year we honour owners, trainers, horses and jockeys at award ceremonies around the world – notably the Cartier awards in London….. we even honour grooms and apprentice riders … but as far as I am aware, there is no formal recognition of the people who paint the picture of each race through their commentaries.
Commentators are largely the unsung heroes of our sport and so I hope we might consider changing this. My idea is that we should have an award called “Commentary of the Year” – each year we should all be enthralled and consumed by commentaries of the big races across Southern Africa – and these are all available to relive on YouTube.
Readers should ping into this site any commentary they particularly enjoyed and then – if you like – I will give the nod to the one I think is the best. The commentator will then be formally recognised in Zim and hopefully further afield at annual award ceremonies. And the cost? Nout.
The recognition? Plenty. Justly deserved and well worth having. We might have a “broken mic” award for the worst one too!!
Most people think the commentator must just try and remember the jockey colours and horses’ names and then try to call them home without too many cock-ups. But a true commentator is much more than that – she/he paints the picture of the course, race, horses, jockeys, owners, trainers, form and events of the day – filling every second of time on-air made available to him/her.
The “Voice of Racing” was always Peter O’Sullivan – the Irish born, Charterhouse boy who made racing live with his commentaries from 1947 to 1997 – fifty years of brilliance – and a knighthood to boot. He called home every race that mattered in the UK – on the flat or over the jumps – and 30 Arcs!
His laconic voice was clearly unique, his calling perfect and his rising pitch as the winning post closed was always timed to perfection….. and when not calling, he painted a picture of the run-up to each race to help those listening on radio. (Today, this is equally important to those of us who listen to commentaries on the Tellytrack audio link on our mobile phones).
His vocabulary and diction were slick and precise – the very epitome of a proper commentator.
He had nothing to learn from American racing – and neither should today’s commentators. As you know I hold US racing in utter contempt and it is the same with their commentators, they have nothing to offer us at all – moreover, their bad habits need to be eliminated from Southern African racing commentaries as soon as possible.
The list of annoyances is endless!
America has no such thing as a “stretch” – at best it’s about two furlongs, pitifully pathetic – the word is “straight” and evokes between three and four furlongs of ground in which the proper outcome of a race may unfold.
And what’s all this “round objects” about “the three, the six, the eight”? We have “number 3, 6 or 8” or we have the horses’ names.
The “get-go” is the off and the “paint” is the rails. More Yankee crap.
Getting the name of each horse correct is vital and should be a given – but it’s not always the case. My all-time favourite is Belle Epoque – pronounced Belly Pork by Nguni – endless paroxysms of mirth such that I never actually knew who won the races he ran in!
So looking at Southern Africa, where are we?
Well, we have had some great commentators in the past, notably, Peter Lovemore who would break out into some Shona from time to time, Robin Bruss – cool, precise and well informed and then Adrian Nydam – the man who never failed to put Borrowdale at the front and centre of his commentaries and to call each race with accuracy, colour and real flair.
For me, the very best commentator in southern Africa – by a country mile – is Nico Kristiosis. His voice is absolutely perfect, clear, authoritative and well informed – he structures each race with precision and calls with style and panache – in fact, I think he is probably one of the very best in the world.
Our local commentator, Ngoni Nguruza, has come on in leaps and bounds – but he has a long way to go. And he has done it pretty much on his own. Well done. To go to the next level, a degree of mentoring is indicated – I know just the man who will try to assist and do so for free!
Within that mentoring must be the exploitation of every second of air time that Tellytrack affords Zim racing – the future demands no silences!
There was very sad news late yesterday. Dewi Williams, former Zimbabwe Champion Jockey latterly living in the United Kingdom, has passed away after a long illness bravely handled.
Born in 1966, Dewi was a brilliant jockey whose riding career ended tragically after an accident at Borrowdale Park. Eventually he moved back to Britain in order to continue with necessary rehabilitation after being injured and he has been sadly missed.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Gareth, the rest of the family, and Dewi’s racing friends.
Follow this story in the comments on https://www.facebook.com/zimracing/
By The Centaurian
My Pure Maths analysis of the Gold Cup Sprint at Borrowdale Park on Sunday was not too bad suggesting as it did Silver Coin and Coachella should be in the shake-up – but no mention was made of the actual winner Verdier.
This is because on the information to hand, there was no maths to be worked out. Here we had a 1200 metre race and between May and Sunday, the winner had never run over 1200 metres – only 1800 to 2000 metres.
Moreover, Verdier hadn’t set the world alight as a stayer – 11.5 lengths off Peggson in the Tankard for example. How could it be considered a prospect? On top of all that it was 4kg out of the handicap. In other words with an index of 78 it should have been carrying 15 kg less, not 11 kg less than Coachella whose index was 108. In my book that is prejudice of 8 lengths to Verdier.
Coachella ran a blinder for John Koumides – who deserves every success – top man. But Coachella was found wanting even if only by a couple of pixels and thus tends to confirm my belief that a kilo of pudding above 60kg stops horses more than a kilo below 60kg.
So for me it was a curious result – someone tell me why Verdier could have won that race? But hearty congratulations to the connections – and what a finish it was.
PS By way of poste scriptum, what the hell were FastJet doing not putting the jockey’s kit on the plane from Joburg? – and what lessons might be learned for the future? I applaud MTC and MOTA for “making a plan” and suspect their efforts were not quite as well received as they should have been – you have my admiration. Well done.
Photographs by Jenny Stock : Verdier, winner of the 2019 SKM Gold Cup Sprint (GR3), trained by Gokhan Terzi and with Brendon McNaughton in the irons. The six-year-old son of Var (USA) is owned by Messrs G I Bluett, B M McClauchlan, A C Fisher, K H Fisher, G Goksel and Mesdams V Birketoft, A K Fisher,B P Fisher and N J Fisher. Congratulations to all the winning connections.
Photo finish at Borrowdale between topweight Coachella (Steyn) and Verdier (McNaughton).
Verdier from the Gokhan Terzi satellite yard got the verdict.
Silver Coin ran third and Three To Tango fourth.
Congratulations everyone.
New Borrowdale Park race times below:
13.15 13.50 14.25 15.00 15.35 16.10 16.45 17.20
THE FIRST RACE IS LIKELY TO BE DELAYED AS NO JOCKEY KIT HAS ARRIVED WITH THE VISITING JOCKEYS.
This is it – THE CENTAURIAN’S PURE MATHS FOR PICKING THE WINNER OF THE GOLD CUP SPRINT AT BORROWDALE PARK ON SUNDAY
First of all I would refer you back to my last article on how to “Pick a Winner”. Have a read and then come back to the pure maths associated with the Gold Cup this weekend. The article can be found at https://zimracing.wordpress.com/2019/12/11/picking-a-winner/
| In that article, you will see the key elements of the maths are time and weight. My rule of thumb is half a kilo equals a length – in other words for every half kilo added to the jockey’s weight, the horse is slowed by a length or 0.12 seconds. The other rule of thumb is to compare apples with apples in terms of race distances – sprinter comparisons should be 1000 to 1200 metres – but you might get a line on 1400 metre times. Middle distances are 1600 metres to 1800 metre but again 1400 metre form might help the database. Longer distance races, 1800, 1900 and 2000 metres can be compared but beyond that race tactics make mathematical analysis least useful. I will come to the other factors after the analysis of the Gold Cup. I start by saying for each horse on each occasion it ran over comparable distances, what time would it have completed those races in had it carried the Gold Cup weight and the races had been run over 1200 metres? So taking Coachella’s last run on 16th November, it was 1100 metres, carrying 61.5 kg in the time of 62.60 secs If it had been carrying 63 kg it would have been 0.36 seconds slower (or 3 x a half kilo at 0.12 secs per length) at 62.96 seconds – and if it had been 100 metres further, it would have taken 62.96/1100 x 1200 = 68.68 seconds. That is the first bit of core comparison data The maths for 7th September when it was carrying 61.5kg is – 58.58secs + 0.36 (i.e. 1.5 kg more to carry in the Gold Cup) = 58.94 /1000 x 1200 = 71.16 seconds 27th July – maybe include in the matrix??? – 60kg gave 88.68 + 0.72 (3kg more) = 89.4 /1450 x 1200 = 73.98 seconds 1st June was the OK over 1800 so can’t be included 28th April – at 62 kg gives 64.16 + 0.24 (+1kg) = 64.40/1100 x 1200 = 70.26 secs. So now the same maths can be done for all the other runners based on the last five runs shown in the race card (where applicable) – and somebody please double-check my homework and give me marks out of ten! (Scroll down to reach my Gold Cup Sprint conclusions.) 1 (9) COACHELLA 63.0 (MR108) K Steyn – Bridget Stidolph 70.26 secs not applicable 73.98 secs 71.16 secs 68.68 secs 2 (3) PEGGSON 56.5 (MR93) …………… – Bridget Stidolph 70.96 secs not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable 3 (1) TWILIGHT TRIP 55.5 (MR91) M Thackeray – Bridget Stidolph not applicable not applicable 72.00 secs 70.00 secs 71.05 4 (6) FAREEQ (AUS) 54.5 89 A J Sampson Gokhan Terzi not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable 68.67 secs 5 (7) THREE TO TANGO 53.0 (MR86) Wes Marwing – Kirk Swanson not applicable not applicable not applicable 69.64 secs not applicable 6 (2) COASTAL TORRENT 52.0 (MR83) C Storey – Bridget Stidolph 69.82 secs 69.38 secs 67.47 secs 69.82 secs 69.57 secs 7 (8) SILVER COIN 52.0 (MR78) M V’Rensburg – Gokhan Terzi 70.00 secs not applicable 69.63 secs 67.86 secs 67.97 secs 8 (5) VERDIER 52.0 (MR78) B McNaughton – Gokhan Terzi not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable not applicable 9 (4) WHAT A DANDY 52.0 (MR76) *R Satombo – Kirk Swanson 68.53 secs 69.53 secs not applicable not applicable 68.10 secs |
Based on the pure maths, the winner might be expected to come from the light weights, Coastal Torrent or Silver Coin. Of the two, the latter seems to be more consistent in its recent time predictions – twice calculated at under 68 seconds for the 1200 metres. The former’s fast time projection is deemed to be a bit of a fluke.
The minor places will be fought out by top weight Coachella, Fareeq and then maybe What a Dandy
Added to the mix now will be the state of the going. Whilst Coachella is the real class horse in the field, 63 kg is a lot of pudding to carry in any event, but if the going is soft then the challenge is harder – I suspect Coachella will be found wanting
So based purely on the mathematical science of picking a winner, it’s Silver Coin from Fareeq, What a Dandy and then Coachella.
Now can we have suggestions for polishing my algorithms!
The NHRA and Spey Bridge Awards for the 2018/2019 racing season were announced at a function at Borrowdale Park yesterday evening.
Once again Bridget Stidolph was leading trainer; Calvin Habib leading jockey and the Newbury Racing Pty Ltd (nominee Dennis Evans) the leading owners.
Congratulations to everyone who collected an award.
NHRA AWARDS
Winner Open Series – SIMONA
Winner Sprinter Series – TWILIGHT TRIP
Leading Owner – NEWBURY RACING PTY LTD
Leading Trainer – BRIDGET STIDOLPH
Champion Jockey – CALVIN HABIB
Champion Breeder – HEMEL ‘N AARDE STUD
SPEY BRIDGE AWARDS
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly – MIA FINOLA
Champion Three-Year-Old Male – SYGONE
Champion Sprinter – TWILIGHT TRIP
Champion Older Horse – PEGGSON
Personality Of The Year – GENGHIZ GOKSEL
Special Awards – GYLES DORWARD & KYLIE BONTHRONE
Photograph by Andrew Philip: Bridget Stidolph and Calvin Habib with OK Grand Challenge winner Simona.
Sunday’s Borrowdale Park meeting wraps up local racing for 2019. There are two features on the 8-race card – the 1600m Tote Free Handicap for three-year-olds, and the RTGS$ 100 000 Gold Cup Sprint.
Fourth race on the day is the 2400m Merit Rated 75 Handicap due off at 13 55 pm – also too good to miss. The eight carded runners include some of our top stayers as well as a couple of first timers over this trip.
A worthwhile Quartet would help with Christmas shopping so study the field, follow your hunches – and hope for the best.
1 (6) HEIR LINE 63.5 (MR 82) *R Satombo – Kirk Swanson
6-year-old g by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare. Five wins from 1600m to 2000m. Placed third in the 2700m Sunshine Cup on September 7. 1.05 lengths behind the winner, Rawedge, who was receiving 10 kgs. Heir Line’s rider will claim 4 kgs on Sunday.
2 (5) BUGATTI BLUE 60.0 (MR 75) N Takawira – Kirk Swanson
5-year-old g by Traffic Guard (USA) out of Vintage Event by Brashee (USA) mare. Four wins and consistently placed from 1600m to 2200m. Last victory on 13 July over 2200m when 1.50 lengths clear of Perfect Grace who was receiving 1.5 kgs and now receives 5kgs. That day Haga Haga was further back.
3 (8) MASTER ‘N COMMANDER 60.0 (MR 75) J Sampson – Gokhan Terzi
8-year-old g by Captain Al out of a Jet Master mare. Five wins from 1450m to 1800m. Won last start over 1700m, beating Bugatti Blue and Haga Haga. Well beaten in 2700m Sunshine Cup but has shown marked improvement lately.
4 (7) DESIGNER POT 58.0 (MR 71) M Thackeray – Kirk Swanson
6-year-old g by Judpot out of a Model Man mare. Has won 6 races from 1400m to 1800m and it will be interesting to see how he handles Sunday’s trip.
5 (4) HAGA HAGA 56.0 (MR 67) C Storey – Kirk Swanson
6-year-old g by Mullins Bay (GB) out of Vintage Event (and being a bit slow on the uptake I have only just realised that Haga Haga and Bugatti Blue are half-brothers). Haga Haga has won 8 races from 1100m to 1800m and been placed up to 2200m. He ran fifth in the 2017 Zimbabwe Derby won by Solinski but was far back. He is older and wiser now and a good closer. We shall see.
6 (1) PERFECT GRACE 55.0 (MR 65) Wes Marwing – Kirk Swanson
8-year-old g by Antonius Pius (USA) out of Balinese Dancer (USA).
Has won eight races from 1600m to 2000m and not one to be written off lightly. As mentioned above was 1.50 lengths behind Bugatti Blue over 2200m in July when receiving 1.5 kgs and is now better off. As there is rain about, at last, there will probably be some change in the going – but that applies to all the runners.
7 (2) RAWEDGE 52.0 (MR 59) K Steyn – Thomas Mason
8-year-old gelding by Ravishing out of a Jallad (USA) mare who has won 9 races from 1600m to 2700m. Winner of the 2700m Sunshine Cup and has not raced since then. If fit there are no doubts about his ability to stay – even if the heavens open.
8 (3) HILLAH THE HUN 52.0 (MR 58) M V’Rensburg – Gokhan Terzi
5-year-old mare by Visionaire (USA) out of a Jet Master mare. Four wins over 1600m and 1700m but to date has not tried further than 1900m. A fairly consistent sort but not sure of her role in this one. Pacemaker or joker in the pack?
Photographs: Jenny Stock, Gavin Macleod, Andrew Philip.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 