Detonation, by Dynasty and having his first start at Borrowdale, won the 2200m MR 69 Handicap on Saturday.

His stable companion Philanthropy finished a whisker behind – or 0.05 lengths. Detonation has now won five races and Chase Maujean rode for Bridget Stidolph. The six-year-old gelding was bred by Beaumont Stud.

Congratulations to the owners, Scott Buchan, Neil Evans and Ryan Sherwood, and the winning trainer and jockey.

Penny Fisher saddled the first three horses home in the1600m Novice Plate at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. Yarraman was first across the line followed by Sunrise Ruby and Kolinksy – winning margins 0.50 and 1.00 lengths.

The three-year-old gelding, Yarraman, is by Await The Dawn (USA) and was bred by Limpo Trading (Pty) Ltd. He runs in the colours of Gengiz Goksel and has now won two of his three starts in Harare. This time Keagan de Melo had the ride.

Congratulations to the winning connections.

Gateway Gamble and Adrenalina fought out the finish of the Air Zimbabwe MR 50 Handicap at Borrowdale on Saturday – winning margin 0.75 lengths.

By Mullins Bay (GB) and out of a Goldkeeper (USA) mare, this was the five-year-old Gateway Gamble’s fifth victory for Michele Stainton. He is trained by Kirk Swanson and was bred by Shadwell Stud. Sherman Brown had the ride.

Congratulations everyone.

Penny Fisher’s stable was off to a flying start on Republic Cup Day at Borrowdale Park when Action Jackson won the 1000m Caaz Maiden Plate.

This was the son of Jackson’s racing debut and the two-year-old colt looked at one stage as if he would be a runaway winner. His three-year-old stable companion, The River Green, put a stop to that with a fine finish which put him within 0.25 lengths of the winner. Ex- Geoff Woodruff, The Green River was having his first outing in Harare.

Bred by Mr I.W. Longmore Action Jackson is owned by Gengiz Goksel and Jarryd Penny was in the irons. Congratulations to all concerned.

There were plenty of close finishes at Borrowdale Park on Saturday – with Tanganyika the exception.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph and with Morgan Nymagwete up, Tanganyika won the 1600m Catercraft Maiden Juvenile Plate by five lengths. He has been knocking on the door for a while and obviously relished some extra ground. By Ato, home-bred Tanganyika is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd.

Congratulations everyone.

Earlier I posted that Wayne Kieswetter of Highlands Stud trading as Ridgemont, and Brian Finch, had escaped the photographers in the Borrowdale Park parade ring.

Mr Kieswetter was here to watch his son Ross’s horse, Amsterdam, run in the Republic Cup, and Mr Finch accompanied him. They are seen here chatting with Gael and Denis Evans of Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd on Saturday afternoon.

So good to see Brian Finch back in his old stamping ground, and great to have a line-up of South African owners on course.

Photograph by Gavin Macleod

Gael and Denis Evans of Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd were at Borrowdale Park on Saturday afternoon to see their home-bred colt, Tanganyika, win the 1600m Maiden Juvenile Plate.

Later in the day their star filly, Simona, came a gallant second in the Republic Day Cup (GR3). So, not a bad day at the office.

We really appreciate it when South African owners support Zimbabwe racing and actually come to the races.

Representatives of Highlands Stud trading as Ridgemont were also on course on Saturday – but unfortunately managed to avoid the photographers.

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News.

You have to love this pic….

Training racehorses has ups and downs, and glorious days are interspersed with worry and sometimes heartbreak. It is moments like this that keep the people involved hanging in there for more of the same.

It was a High Fives day on Saturday for Kirk Swanson’s team and his very loyal supporters – three winners at Borrowdale Park, including Heir Line’s victory in the Republic Cup.

Congratulations Kirk and Debbie Swanson, Assistant Trainer Thomas Mason, Kylie Bonthrone, all the Gorringes, and everyone else who should be mentioned.

Memories are made of this.

Photograph by Andrew Philip.

Heir Line, under a brave ride from Keagan de Melo, went wide, found the front, and held on to win the $60 000 Republic Cup at Borrowdale Park this afternoon.

Simona ran on gamely from the back of the field but couldn’t catch the four-year-old son of Dynasty. Bush Pilot and Master Switch finished third and fourth.

Trained by Kirk Swanson and bred by Varsfontein Stud, Heir Line is owned by Dave Ward, Gary Carter, Vikkas Patel, Sean Gorringe, Paula Lewis and Paul and Ursula Gorringe.

Congratulations to all the winning connections and thanks to the sponsors of this race.

Isn’t it time one of our ‘top’ horses fought back?

It may not come as a surprise to anyone that I am ready to be amazed by the result of the 2018 Republic Cup.

The stake for Saturday’s 1900m event has been boosted to $60 000 – making this the richest race in Zimbabwe’s racing calendar. You can bet your life this is a race everyone wants to win. However, that said, I would hesitate to bet my house, let alone my life, on anything else.

The field includes Roman Discent, the 66/1 shot who won the 2018 Castle Tankard (GR1), beating Simona by a whisker over 2000m when both carried 52 kgs. Simona went on to win the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (GR2) a month later.

The Gimmethegreenlight filly carried 53.5 kgs in the OK and finished two lengths clear of Peggson (52kgs). Roman Discent, on 54 kgs was 5.50 lengths back.

It is tempting to conclude that the winner of the 1900m Republic Cup (GR3) will come from one of the lightweights – and there is a rash of runners to choose from. Peggson will carry 53 kgs, Kevin Barry 52.5 kgs, and all of Heir Line, newcomer Bush Pilot and Lava Flow are on 52 kgs.

Zimbabwe Derby winner Knuckleball is a Card Scratching, and this well-performed three-year-old would have received plenty of support when carrying 52 kgs.

Weight counts but it is sad to see the better-rated runners constantly missing out on the pound seats. It is time for one of our ‘top’ horses to fight back.

Saturday’s runner Comanche Brave won the 2017 Castle Tankard with 52 kgs, fluffed his lines in the 2017 OK Grand Challenge, but scored in the 2017 Republic Cup, carrying 59 kgs. He runs off a Merit Rating of 95 and is set to carry 60 kgs on Saturday.

Perhaps he can get back to winning ways. The son of Kahal (GB) was giving Roman Discent and Simona 6.5 kgs each in the Tankard, and finished third, 3.30 lengths behind. Simona is 2.5 kgs worse off here.

Comanche Brave fluffed it again in the 2018 OK Grand Challenge, but that is exactly what he did last year.

Master Switch, fourth in this year’s Tankard, and third in the OK, could also put his best hoof forward on Saturday. He will be giving Simona 1.5 kgs, compared with the 3.5 kgs she received from him in the OK – when Master Switch finished about two lengths behind.

Although I haven’t made a case for Amsterdam I don’t believe we have seen him at his best yet. He too meets Simona on better terms.

It seems I have made Simona my ‘line’ horse, and why not? The four-year-old finished a very close second in the Castle Tankard, and won the OK Grand Challenge comfortably. The handicapper may or may not be catching up with her, but on Saturday we shall see.

Knuckleball is a  Card Scratching from the $60 000 Republic Cup (GR3) which will be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.

Promising three-year-old Knuckleball ran second to Butchie Boy in the 2018 Zimbabwe Guineas and went on to win the 2018 Zimbabwe 2000 and the 2018 Zimbabwe Derby. Penny Fisher’s charge steps up to the big time on Saturday when he runs in the $60 000 Republic Cup (GR3) over 1900m.

The son of Curved Ball (USA) will carry 52 kgs and is expected to give a good account of himself.

Penny will also saddle Master Switch, Kevin Barry and Lava Flow for the big race at Borrowdale Park.

SIMONA IS GOING FOR A BIG RACE DOUBLE

The four-year-old Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) filly, Simona (above), will be trying for a big race double when she runs in the $60 000 Republic Cup at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.

Simona was a close second to Roman Discent in the 2018 Castle Tankard and won the OK Grand Challenge at the beginning of June.

Bridget Stidolph has also entered Comanche Brave, Roman Discent, Bush Pilot and Peggson in this 1900m event.

SWANSON FIELDS TWO IN REPUBLIC CUP

Kirk Swanson sends out two runners for the $60 000 Republic Cup (GR3) to be run over 1900m at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.

Heir Line (above) is a four-year-old Dynasty gelding out of a Jet Master mare, and he won his last start over 1700m on June 17.

Amsterdam, by Windrush (USA) out of a Machiavellian (USA) mare, will also represent the Swanson yard. A winner of four races, Amsterdam will carry 56 kgs and is drawn 9 in the Republic Cup.

Photographs: Zimbabwe Equine News.