Road To Dubai won the $13 000 HRIB Gold Cup at Borrowdale Park on Saturday for the second time.

By The Sheik and bred by Scott Bros, Road to Dubai won this race in 2015, and won the  Spey Bridge Award for Champion Sprinter in the 2015/16 season.

Wylde Style, bred by Peter Moor in Zimbabwe, won the Tote Free Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, carrying top weight – winning margin 1.25 lengths.

The Tote Free Handicap is for all three-year-olds and a good pointer towards the Classics.

Certainly well worth a Quartet…or two

The $13 000 HRIB Gold Cup to be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday is the major sprint everyone with even half a chance wants to win. That includes punters, as well as owners and trainers, but the bad news is the red hot favourite doesn’t often deliver.

The 2016 field includes two previous winners, Approval Rating and Road To Dubai; ten-year-old Flax, a 10 time winner who collected most of his laurels in Singapore, as well as Zimbabwe Derby winner and 2015/16 Horse Of The Year, Mathematician.  The rest of the field comprises up and coming hopefuls Comanche Brave and Nimble Dancer, plus usually trustworthy sprinters like Newton Power, Principled Man and Gotago – and  fairly recent arrival, Sheik’s Brashee.

By The Sheik, Sheik’s Brashee is a paternal half-brother to Road To Dubai and the six- year-old gelding arrived in Zimbabwe from South Africa with 5 wins from 1000m – 1200m  to his credit.  His first outing at Borrowdale, in July, was in the 1450m Breeders Sprint won by Flax.  Newton Power ran second that day, with Approval Rating, closely followed by Sheik’s Brashee, four lengths back, all at level weights.

Next time out Sheik’s Brashee went down by 0.35 lengths to Approval Rating in the 1000m AFZ Borrowdale Charity Sprint when receiving 2.5 kgs.  Saturday’s runners Nimble Dancer, Sheik’s Brashee, Newton Power and Road to Dubai all finished within half a length of the winner and you can’t get much closer than that.

Nimble Dancer (second) was receiving 8 kgs from Approval Rating, Newton Power (fourth) was 4.5 kgs to the good and Road To Dubai (fifth) received 4kgs.

On November 6 this famous five, plus Gotago, took each other on in a 1200m MR 95 Handicap and Sheik’s Brashee , carrying 57 kgs  and  in receipt of 3.5 kgs from Approval Rating, finished three lengths clear. That day Road to Dubai (55.5 kgs) and Newton Power (55 kgs) were 6.50 lengths and 8.0 lengths off the winner. Nimble Dancer (52 kgs) was close behind Newton Power and Gotago  (52 kgs) even  further back.  Not quite the blanket finish some of us expected.

While taking nothing away from Sheik’s Brashee I am assuming most of those runners were having a bad day.  The penetrometer reading was 13 and, thankfully, we have had rain since then.

However, Penny Fisher’s charge, Sheik’s Brashee, is obviously no pushover.  He and Approval Rating both carry 60, 5 kgs in the HRIB, while Mathematician and Flax  are set to carry 63 kgs and 62.5 kgs respectively.  Quite a tall ask.

Road To Dubai, trained by Kirk Swanson, won the 2015  HRIB Gold Cup, carrying 52 kgs, and Principled Man (52 kgs) was third.  Gokhan Terzi’s  Approval Rating, fifth and conceding 8.5 kgs, was 1.30 lengths back.

So let’s not kid ourselves.  Weight counts.  In 2012 the HRIB was won by Penthouse (52 kgs),  Approval Rating (55.5 kgs) won the race in 2013, while On This Rock (54,5 kgs) scored in 2014.

Taking the gloomy view, and bearing in mind there might be a change in the going, let’s look at the top weighted horses.

Flax only raced once over 1200m at Kranje , and that was on April 29, 2011, in the Whitehall Stakes.  The son of Silvano (GER) carried 57.5 kgs and came from a long way back in a field of 14 to win by 3.8 lengths.

He has raced four times at Borrowdale, winning his last start in May over 1450m.  Newton Power was second, with Approval Rating and Sheik’s Brashee further back – all carrying 60 kgs.

Mathematician, has been out of sight since he won the 1900m Republic Cup in July.  In January he won a 1300m Maiden Plate at Borrowdale, beating  Nemba Beach.  His other races have been over distances ranging from 1600m to 2400m and he wouldn’t be my first choice in any sprint at this stage.  However, I could be wrong.

Both Flax and Mathematician are trained by Bridget Stidolph who also sends out Nimble Dancer, carrying 52 kgs.  By AP Answer, Nimble Dancer finished about three lengths off the pace in the 2015 Gold Cup but he has since been gelded and shown some  improvement when  lightly weighted.

Amy Bronkhorst has entered Comanche Brave, also on 52 kgs.  By Kahal (GB) this four-year-old’s  Borrowdale form can’t be faulted as he has won three of his six starts, and been placed second three times. He is bound to have ardent supporters but I am not sure this is his race  – so watch  him win.

This field has ability and on their day any one of them could be victorious.  Those who are particularly skilfull, and can juggle the turnovers in weights combined with previous  results,  will no doubt solve the problem.  As for the rest of us, after the race, we will be able to make a case for the winner – and say we should have seen it coming.  

This will be a thrilling race ….and worth a Quartet or two.  Choosing the first four might be easier than finding the actual winner.

The first race on Saturday is due off at 12 55.

Photograph Andrew Philip – AFZ Borrowdale Charity Sprint Finish 2016

Photograph Gavin Macleod: Kevin Barry passes Wylde Style in the Jacaranda Free

Ten of Zimbabwe’s most promising three-year-olds line up at Borrowdale Park on Saturday for the 1600m Tote Free Handicap, but the focus will be on the West Man filly, Wylde Style (60kgs), and Kevin Barry (58 kgs), a Horse Chestnut colt.

To date this pair have done everything asked of them. They clashed in the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap on November 6 where Wylde Style went down by a length to Kevin Barry when conceding 4kgs. On Saturday Wylde Style only gives the colt 2 kgs but has yet to prove herself beyond 1450m.

Four of Saturday’s runners –Shepparton, Esprit de Corps, Haga Haga and Devil In command – also ran in the Jacaranda Free Handicap.

With the exception of Devil In Command, who carried 56 kgs, as did Kevin Barry, all were receiving weight from the winner and trailed in ignominiously. Shepparton (third) was five lengths behind Kevin Barry, and Esprit de Corps a further four lengths back. Haga Haga was close behind Esprit de Corps, while Devil In Command was left with 12.35 lengths to find.

However one can expect natural improvement in this lightly raced field, several of whom have yet to go over 1600m.

WYLDE STYLE (ZIM) Drawn 4   60kgs   MR81 – AMY BRONKHORST

This West Man (USA) filly has had 6 starts for 4 wins 1000-1450, and two seconds – to Rhythmical Reply over 900m and Kevin Barry over 1200m. No real reason to suppose she will not get the extra 150m in Saturday’s race. On July 31 in the 1450m Champagne Stakes Wylde Style, receiving 2.5 kgs, beat Rhythmical Rhythm by four lengths, with Shepparton and Haga Haga further back. Although she still gives the field weight in the Tote Free here’s hoping this gallant filly can live up to her well earned reputation. (Girl Power and all that.) Evert Pheiffer rides.

KEVIN BARRY   Drawn 5   58kgs   MR77 – PENNY FISHER

A Horse Chestnut colt and winner of 3 of his 4 starts 1200 – 1700. His second start and first win came in September in a 1700m Maiden Plate when, receiving 2.5 kgs, he beat Chum by 2.25 lengths. Since then Penny Fisher’s charge has won a 1200m MR70 Handicap for three-year-olds, beating Devil In Command, Haga Haga, Esprit de Corps and Rhythmical Reply convincingly. Next time out was the 1200m Jacaranda Free where he triumphed over Wylde Style. On Saturday the filly gives the colt 2 kgs rather than the 4 kgs she conceded in their last outing. Over 1200m I would give Wylde Style the nod…but Kevin Barry has a win over 1700m under his belt. Ryan Munger rides.

RHYTHMICAL REPLY   Drawn 7    55kgs    MR71 – BRIDGET STIDOLPH

By AP Answer (USA) this gelding could show improvement over Saturday’s trip. He has narrowly beaten Wylde Style over a shorter distance but she has well and truly turned the tables in three subsequent meetings. However in the 1450m Champagne Stakes run in July he went down by four lengths to Wylde Style while conceding 2,5kgs. When they line up against each other on Saturday Rhythmical Reply will be receiving 5kgs from Wylde Style, which represents a very significant turnaround in weights. Billy Jacobson rides.

JAMESON RUN (ZIM) Drawn 8   53.5kgs    MR68 – GOKHAN TERZI

A Seventh Rock (AUS) gelding who recently won his first start and, judging by the Merit Rating, the handicapper was impressed. He won a 1000m Maiden Plate on November 6, finishing two lengths clear of Roberta’s Passion, who has to date raced three times for two second places. The fact that Jameson Run is in the race says quite a lot…he has shown someone something. Wes Marwing rides.

DEVIL IN COMMAND   Drawn 1   52.5 kgs   MR66 – GOKHAN TERZI

Great Britain (GB) colt with 6 starts from 1000m – 1200m for one win and three places. His win came in June in a 1000m Maiden Juvenile Plate where he finished in front of Whatsnewpussycat and Gimme Victory. Ran a two length second to Kevin Barry over 1200m on October 10, conceding 2.5 kgs. Perhaps he has been waiting for more ground. Jarred Samuel rides.

GOLDEN MYSTERY   Drawn 10 52.5 kgs MR68 – GAVIN MACLEOD

Main Aim (GB) filly, 6 runs for 1 win and 4 places 1000-1600. Ran third in first three starts up to 1100m then second to Rebel Soldier over 1600m. Next time out on July 31 won the Breeders Fillies Mile, beating Jinx Johnson by half a length at level weights. Has not raced since but is distance suited. Kevin Derere rides.

SHEPPARTON(ZIM)  Drawn 6   52.5kgs  MR66 – GOKHAN TERZI

Fencing Master (GB) gelding came second to Haga Haga over 1100m in his first start and won over the same distance in September, beating first-timer Don’tfencemein. Finished 7.30 lengths behind Wylde Style over 1450m and last time out was behind Kevin Barry and Wylde Style in the 1200m Jacaranda Free. May prefer the 1600m trip and has weight on his side. Jockey TBA

ESPRIT DE CORPS  Drawn 2   52kgs   MR62 – GOKHAN TERZI

Lightly raced Mambo In Seattle (USA) gelding who won his first start over 1200m, beating Megagram on July 31. In both subsequent outings he finished fourth to Kevin Barry over 1200m. On previous form Esprit de Corps and Haga Haga seem evenly matched – and hard to assess over 1600m.*Calvin Ngcobo (1.5) rides. Apprentice Allowance may be claimed.

HAGA HAGA  Drawn 9   52kgs    MR63 – KIRK SWANSON

Mullins Bay(GB) colt who has yet to show his paces over 1600m. Has run 5 times for one 1100m win and two places. Has finished third to Kevin Barry over 1200m when giving away 3 kgs but on exposed form it seems Haga Haga has quite a lot to do. However I continue to expect him to surprise. Keagan de Melo rides.

JINX JOHNSON (ZIM)   Drawn 3   52 kgs   MR64  – AMY BRONKHORST

Tamburlaine (IRE) filly won her first start over 800m and this was followed by three distant seconds up the straight to stable mate Wylde Style. Was a close second to Golden Mystery in the Breeders Fillies Mile and now meets her on 1 kg better terms. Was 1.55 lengths off Finlay in a 1600m Graduation Plate on September 25, and fourth in a 1200m Novice Plate on November 6. Brendon McNaughton rides.

La Carmelita and winning connections

Recent import La Carmelita (4/1) won the 1800m Champion Fillies Stakes by an astonishing 7.75 lengths at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, leaving Ladies First, Betula Uber and Belle Epoque in the dust.

The four-year-old daughter of Ideal World (USA) was bred by Mauritzfontein Stud and was having her second start in Harare, having previously run second to Standpoint over 2200m. She is trained by Bridget Stidolph and was ridden by Fanie Chambers. Gael and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing were on course to welcome their filly back in the Parade Ring.

The penetrometer reading on Sunday was 18 – some improvement on the hard going experienced at previous meetings.

Bridget Stidolph and Fanie Chambers also scored in the 1700m Maiden Plate won by Harare first-timer, Placid Sea, also owned by Newbury Racing.

Congratulations to the winning connections.

ALMOST A CLEAN SWEEP

Noble Peer – a family affair

Penny Fisher saddled three of the first four horses past the post in the 1800m MR 89 Handicap at Borrowdale on Sunday.

The honours went to Noble Peer (Ryan Munger), with stable mates Lava Flow (Greyling) 0.75 lengths back, and Call Me Earl (Van der Merwe) fourth. The Gokhan Terzi trained Tandava finished third, two lengths behind the winner.

Noble Peer is owned by the Fisher family and the son of Miesque’s Approval (USA) has now won four races. He was bred by George Rowles.

Earlier in the afternoon the Fisher yard and Ryan Munger won the 1600m MR 60 Handicap with David’s Flower.

ENDING THE DAY ON A HIGH NOTE

Cool Solution with some of his happy owners

The Swanson yard sent out three winners at Borrowdale Park on Sunday afternoon, collecting the training honours in the process.

Phantom Major and Gateway Gamble won the first two races and the day ended on a high note when Cool Solution romped home in the 1100m MR 78 Handicap, the get-out stakes. Sherman Brown was aboard the first two winners.

By Mullins Bay (GB) out of a Tilden (IRE) mare, the four-year-old gelding, Cool Solution, is owned by Ron Mhizha, Sean Gorringe, Z.R. Lusengo, Sterling Miller, D.K. Ward, Mark Wood,Gary Carter, Paula Lewis, Ursula Malan and Anna Mason. Keagan de Melo was in the irons.

The next Borrowdale Park race meeting, featuring the HRIB Gold Cup,  is on Saturday, December 3.  The HRIB Card Call will be held in the Ipi Tombe Room on Thursday, December 1, immediately after the Mashonaland Owners & Trainers Annual General Meeting.

 

 

David’s Flower should go close in the third race, a 1600, MR 60 Handicap.

Race 1: Flasher On The Run (5), Coachella (2), Beretta (7), Danger Dan (3).

Race 2: Invincible Swan (1), Fashion World (6), Gateway Gamble (4), Eurozone (2).

Carla The Rebel, seen here with Lance Pagel in the irons, runs off the highest rating in the Champion Fillies Stakes, but can she win?

Glenwood Racing fields six of the eight runners in the 1800m Champion Fillies Stakes at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, including Carla The Rebel, winner of the 1600m ZRP Fillies Charity Stakes on October 23.

Scarlett Ice (second in the Charity Stakes) and Ladies First, also from the Terzi yard, step out again, and will be joined by stable mates Belle Epoque,  Betula Uber and Sky.

Bridget Stidolph is taking on this formidable line-up with Dictate and La Carmelita, both bred to stay.  Dictate, by Silvano (GER) out of a Model Man mare, has not previously raced at Borrowdale, but won a 1950m Maiden Plate at Scottsville on June 22.  The four-year-old will jump from the Number Three stall on Sunday and Apprentice Mathew Thackeray takes the ride.

La Carmelita, by Ideal World (USA), debuted at Borrowdale at the last race meeting, running second to Standpoint in the 2000m MR 65 Handicap.  She won a 1400m Maiden Plate at Greyville in April,  is drawn 7 on Sunday and stable jockey Fanie Chambers will be in the irons.

Silvano (GER) and Ideal World (USA) are also represented within the Terzi string.  Ladies First is by the German sire out of an Al Mufti (USA) mare and this four-year-old won at Borrowdale over 1600m and 1700m.  She finished 4.75 lengths behind Duffi’s Call in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks when Sunday’s runner, Betula Uber, was second (1.75 lengths back), with Belle Epoque and Sky not really shaping.

At the last Borrowdale Park meeting the penetrometer reading was 13 and over the weekend there was a soaking rain with more expected.  At the very least the sting will be out of the ground, and a marked change in the going has to be considered.  Should there be a deluge bear in mind that Ladies First has won in soft conditions.  Collen Storey will be aboard and Ladies First has drawn 5.

Although Betula Uber, the daughter of Ideal World (USA), is only a one time winner over 1600m, she was second to Duffi’s Call in the Oaks, and second to 2015 Horse Of The Year Mathematician in the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby. The race she won, at two years, was the Breeders Fillies Mile. At the last meeting Betula Uber had a pipe opener, finishing third to El Gallo over 1200m.  Keagan de Melo rides on Sunday, the four-year-old filly is drawn 2, and over ground one has to fancy her chances.

 Betula Uber, with Wes Marwing up, won the Breeders Fillies Mile

Three-time winner, Belle Epoque, by Seventh Rock (AUS) out of a Kitalpha (USA) mare, is going for a hat-trick, having won her last two starts over 1100m and 1200m. She has done most of her racing over shorter trips but finished fifth in the Oaks. Juan Paul van der Merwe will ride this filly and she is drawn 1.

Wesley Marwing is on  Scarlett Ice and Brendon McNaughton will be mounted on Sky. Scarlett Ice and Carla The Rebel are the only five-year-olds in this race where Scarlett Ice will take on the four-year-olds at level weights.  Carla The Rebel, a winner of five races, carries an extra 2kgs, and Sherman Brown has been engaged to ride her.

By Black Minnaloushe (USA) Scarlett Ice won her first two starts at Borrowdale, over 1600 and 1700m.  She was second to Perfect Grace over 1800m in May, and is usually thereabouts.  In the recent ZRP Charity Fillies Stakes Scarlett Ice ran second to Carla The Rebel at level weights.  When in receipt of 2kgs she could turn the tables.

As a rule I wouldn’t get too excited about anything featuring only two stables but this seems an open race, and a likely change in the going makes it more interesting. Presumably both Stidolph runners are in it to win it, but Gokhan Terzi has a strong hand here.  Unfortunately, at this stage, I can’t decide which of his runners to go with.

Perhaps it is significant that JP is riding Belle Epoque… he has partnered her in two of her three victories.

The first race on Sunday is due off at 13.05 and the Champion Fillies Stakes takes place at 16.00.

Sheik’s Brashee (Ryan Munger) being chased by Approval Rating, Road To Dubai and Newton Power in the 1000m MR 95 Handicap.

The Penny Fisher yard sent out two winners at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, November 6.   As well as the feature race winner, Kevin Barry, the Fisher team took the last race of the afternoon, a 1000m Merit Rated 95 Handicap, with Sheik’s Brashee.

This six-year-old gelding by The Sheik finished three lengths clear of Approval Rating when in receipt of 3.5 kgs.  Ryan Munger was in the irons and Sheik’s Brashee is owned by Vanessa Birketoft and bred by R.C. Muir Thoroughbred Enterprises. This was his third start in Harare and he has now won six races.

EL GALLO ‘S FIRST HARARE WIN

Bridget Stidolph was in the Winner’s Enclosure with El Gallo after the running of the 1200m Novice Plate.  The son of Toreador (IRE) was involved in a tight finish with Uptown Gal, with Betula Uber and Jinx Johnson following.  The four-year-old is owned by Newbury Racing  and bred by David Allan. Brendon McNaughton had the winning ride.

El Gallo won the 1200m Novice Plate.

LET’S NOT FORGET CHUM

At last the mostly reliable Chum left the maidens in the 1800m Maiden Plate, although stablemate Supalumina (only 0.25 lengths back) almost spoilt his fun.  In The Oven was close behind, while Chatou finished further back.

It seems as if Chum and In The Oven have been meeting up with each other forever but, in fact, this was only Chum’s eighth start, and he has been paying for his keep.  Now that he is out of the way surely In The Oven will graduate next.

By Ideal World (USA) and bred by Mauritzfontein Stud, Chum is owned by John Koumides and trained by Kirk Swanson. Sherman Brown was riding.

Chum has quit the Maidens and is now set to achieve better things.

The next Borrowdale Park race meeting is on Sunday, November 20, and features the 1800m Champion Fillies Stakes.  The Nominations for this meeting have already been posted.

Photographs: Gavin Macleod

Gokhan Terzi saddled another three winners at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, getting off to a good start with first-timer Jameson Run (below) in the 1000m Maiden Plate.

The three-year-old gelding by Seventh Rock (AUS) is owned by Christopher Peech and Craig Danckwerts, and was bred by Rumbavu Park Stud. Wesley Marwing was in the irons and Jameson Run (18/10) beat his slightly more fancied stable companion, Roberta’s Passion, by two lengths.

Kevin Barry, nearest the camera, passing Wylde Style, to win the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – and collecting a very old-fashioned look from his rival who was conceding 4 kgs.

A great performance from the Horse Chestnut colt, bred locally by the Spotted Pig Stud – and an equally good showing from Wylde Style who went down by only a length at the finish.

( FROM THE OFFICIAL MASHONALAND TURF CLUB CARD)

RACE 1: Roberta’s Passion (9), Nemba Beach (1), Megagram (3), King’s Wager (2)

RACE 2:  El Gallo (5), Uptown Gal (8), Jinx Johnson (9), Betula Uber (6)

RACE 3: In The Oven (2), Chum (1), Karatu 3),  Explorer’s Club (7)

RACE 4: Bullion Bay (2), Muhannad (6), Seven Kingdoms (1), Full Court (5)

RACE 5: Standpoint (4), Red Savage (3), Quick Glance (1), Finlay (2)

RACE 6: Wylde Style (1), Kevin Barry (5), Devil In Command (4), Rebel Soldier (2)

RACE 7: Sheik’s Brashee (2), Approval Rating (1), Newton Power (5), Road To Dubai (4)

The first race, a 1000m Maiden Plate, is due off at 13 15. The main race, the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap, will be run at 16 05.  Champion juvenile of the 2015/16 season, Wylde Style (below), takes on the colts  here, while giving away weight all round. Don’t miss this one…it is a race which  often  points towards better things to come.  The sprinting big guns come out in the last race of the afternoon, a  1100m MR 95 Handicap. 

Gateway Gamble (4/1) won the last race at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, a 1000m MR 49 Handicap, holding off Tail Wind 18/1, Fashion World 22/10 and Temple Run 3/1.

Sorry to say the Pick 6 was won by 1.4 lucky ticket holders – a healthy payout as Scottsville was postponed – and no carryover.