TANDAVA DOES IT…with Deon Sampson up and trained by Penny Fisher.

This was the 23rd running of the Republic Cup GR3. Second too close to call at present between Arte and Fareeq. Simona Fourth. Winner owned by Dave Rosser.

Congratulations.

Still waiting to receive the results etc from the MTC and my generator won’t take the strain for much longer.

The Republic Cup is always a great day at Borrowdale Park, and never forget being on-course is better than watching on TV.

There will be plenty of high fashion about, but don’t be put off if casual is your thing. You will have company. Racing is really about the horses, thundering hooves, and screams from the crowd when a finish is almost too hot to handle.

It is a seven-race card with competitive fields and some top visiting jockeys in the mix. All of Bernard Fayd’Herbe, Greg Cheyne and Corne Orffer have plenty of big race experience in South Africa. I wonder what surprises they will spring here.

The first race on Saturday is due off at 12.25 pm and the 1900m Republic Cup (Gr3) is at 16.00pm.

Put all the troubles behind you, bring your family, and enjoy the outing.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

The RTGS 150 000 Republic Cup (Gr3) will be run at Borrowdale Park over 1900m on Saturday and what a line-up.

With the exception of Penny From Heaven and Tandava (back from his sojourn in RSA), the other 13 runners took part in at least one of the recent two big features – the 2000m Castle Tankard (Gr1) and the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr2).

Peggson, winner of the 2019 Tankard, teams up again with Brendon McNaughton, and Simona, who won the OK Grand Challenge in 2018 and 2019, will be piloted by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

The visiting jockeys this week are particularly interesting, and I hope Borrowdale Park will rise above the current problems besetting Zimbabwe. We like to impress those who have not been here before.

Apprentice Ashton Arries has the ride on Amsterdam, while Keagan de Melo once again rides Heir Line, winner of the Republic Cup last year. Corne Orffer will be on 2019 Zimbabwe Derby winner Three To Tango, and Greg Cheyne rides Arte. Jarryd Penny retains the ride on Verdier (third in the OK) as does Hennie Greyling on Fareeq (second in the OK).

Serino Moodley will be back at Borrowdale on In The Mood; Deon Sampson rides Tandava, Wes Marwing Penny From Heaven, Sihle Cele is on Bush Pilot, and Oswald Noach on Wolves Among Sheep.

Morgan Nyamagwete (Leven Point), along with Brendon McNaughton, flies the flag for Zimbabwe.

With half the field carrying less than 53 kgs I am not sticking my neck out here… so what’s new?

Simona is set to carry 60 kgs, Peggson 59, Amsterdam 57, Heir Line 56, Tandava 55.5, Three To Tango 54, and Fareeq 53.

All things being equal (I mean if I had electricity and could go online to check on a few things) I would rabbit on about the turnaround in weights, previous runs and so forth. However, big races being what they are the lack of information may not matter.

For sentimental reasons, many people will be rooting for top-weighted Simona on Saturday. This may be the five-year-old mare’s last appearance at Borrowdale Park.

The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) out of a Western Winter (USA) mare, has won 10 and been placed 11 times from 28 starts. She certainly has broodmare potential, but Zimbabweans will be sad to see her go.

The three stables involved in this Republic Cup all field runners with some claims to fame. Bridget Stidolph
will saddle Simona, Peggson, Roman Discent (the 2018 Tankard winner), Leven Point, Bush Pilot and Wolves Among Sheep.

Fareeq (AUS), Verdier and Tandava will represent Penny Fisher’s yard.

On paper Kirk Swanson also has a fairly strong hand with Heir Line, Three To Tango, Arte, Amsterdam, In The Mood and Penny From Heaven.

At this stage, it’s all in the lap of the gods. May the best horse, on the day, win and all the runners return safely.

And, if you are listening, gods, make sure ZESA comes to the party.

Come what may racing at Borrowdale Park continues to keep punters on their toes, with several close finishes on Sunday afternoon.

The main race, an 1800m Pinnacle Plate 80 was won by In The Mood with Verdian (J. Penny) only half a length back, then Solinski (0.75). Sherman Brown rode the winner for Kirk Swanson and owner John Koumides.

In The Mood has now won five of her last six starts. By Bold Silvano, she was bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.

Prior to that the Swanson stable had led in Haga Haga in the 1600m MR 75 Handicap, and Pirate Hunter who won the 1700m MR 50 Handicap. Both cliffhangers involving stablemates.

Haga Haga, by Mullins Bay (GB), finished half a length clear of Perfect Grace, with Bugatti Blue only 0.05 lengths off the second horse. Jarryd Penny piloted Haga Haga, who is owned by Ben Mugabe and Ron Mhizha and was bred by Summerhill Stud.

Pirate Hunter (S Brown), another son of Mullins Bay (GB) bred by Summerhill Stud, held on to beat Wee Doch ‘n Dorris by 0.10 lengths in the 1700m MR 50 Handicap, and Silver Buck was also right up there. The winner is owned by Anna Mason, Sheldene Chant, Merlyn Chant, Guy Martell and Sterling M Miller.

The Penny Fisher yard also saddled three winners on Sunday – Silver Coin (J Penny), Sunrise Ruby (J Penny) and Clash City Rockers (H Greyling). Unfortunately, I have not received photographs of this trio, or any lead-in pics of anyone. Thanks to Gavin Macleod for the photographs that appear here.

Silver Coin scored in the 1200m Graduation Plate, beating stable companion Lunar Dancer by a length. He is by Silvano (GER) and was bred by Drakenstein Stud. The four-year-old gelding is owned by Gengiz Goksel and Trinisha Pillay.

Sunrise Ruby by King Of Kings (IRE) came to light in the 1600m MR 55 Handicap, with Battle Cry a whisker behind and Rebellious Queen 0.35 lengths off the winner. Bred by Bosworth Farm Stud, Sunrise Ruby is owned by Dave Rosser and Gengiz Goksel.

Clash City Rocker, also owned by Dave and Gengiz, triumphed in the 1000m MR 49 Handicap, one and a half lengths clear of Lily Blue. By Seventh Rock (AUS), the three-year-old gelding was bred by Rathmor Stud.

Bridget Stidolph’s two winners had the distinction of winning by the widest margins of the day. Gimmethegreenback beat stable companion Santolina by two lengths, and Christofle was three and a half lengths ahead off What A Dandy.

First-timer Gimmethegreenback (B McNaughton) won a 1100 Maiden Juvenile Plate and she is owned by Gary de Jong, Scott Buchan, Neil Evans, Ashley Dixon, Tim Herdon, Richard Morgan and Ryan Sherwood. This filly was bred by Millstream Farm.

Christofle by Tiger Ridge (USA), easily won the 1260m MR 70 Handicap. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Calvin Habib was in charge. The owners are Messrs S H Murray, C Davenport, K Hatendi, Duncan Jones, G M Littleford, G. Martell, H D Parbhoo, C M Rambo, P C Rugg, D C Samuels and S W Shutt.

Congratulations to all the winning connections.