The five-year-old Seventh Rock (AUS) mare, Belle Epoque (above), won the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR) at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. Newcomer to Borrowdale, Elegant Beauty, came second, then Wylde Style and Crystalline.

Bred by Rumbavu Stud, Belle Epoque is owned by Christopher Peech and trained by Kirk Swanson. Apprentice Mpumelelo Mjoka was in the irons. Congratulations to the winning connections. Belle Epoque has now won four races and is out of a Kitalpha (USA) mare.

FIRST BLOOD TO ZITA

Zita, a six-year-old Soar With Eagles (USA) gelding (above), won the first race at Borrowdale Park  – a 1200m MR 65 Handicap run over 1200m. Penny Fisher’s charge has now won four races and on this occasion beat Nimble Dancer by 1.25 lengths, with Shepparton and Just a Jag finishing third and fourth.

Congratulations to the winning owners Brian McLauchlan, Matthew Charlton, Kevin Fallon, Ken and Penny Fisher, Alistair and Natalie Fisher, and Alex Fisher. Ryan Munger had the ride and Zita was bred by the Spotted Pig Stud in Zimbabwe.

The Fisher yard scored again when Eurozone won the last race on Sunday’s card.

LADIES FIRST – THE FIRST OF TWO

Amy Bronkhorst saddled two winners on Sunday, the first being Ladies First (above), for Genghiz Goksel and Dave Rosser.

The daughter of of Silvano (GER) has now won five races, beating Wee Doch ‘n Dorris, Placid Sea and Baumgartner in the 1800m MR 59 Handicap. Randall Simons was in the irons.

The five-year-old mare was bred by Varsfontein Stud. Congratulations winning connections.

SIMONA HAD THE GREEN LIGHT

The Gimmethegreenlight filly, Simona, triumphed in the 1600m Graduation Plate, beating Tierce by three lengths, followed by Racey J and Red Savage.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph, Simona is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd, nominee Dennis Evans. Apprentice Calvin Habib was in the irons and the four-year-old was bred by Nadeson Park. Congratulations to the winning connections.

Randall Simons will ride Wylde Style again in the Sable Flyers (LR)

Amy Bronkhorst’s gallant girl, Wylde Style, an eight-time winner, carries 60 kgs in the Sable Flyers (LR) at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. This feature race run over 1260m is a Merit Rated Handicap for Fillies and Mares, weights to be determined at the sole discretion of the handicapper.

The remaining three runners will be receiving plenty of weight from Wylde Style, all being set to carry 52 kgs. Apprentice Mjoka on Belle Epoch can claim 1.5 kgs, while Apprentice Habib on Crystalline is expected to put up an extra 1 kg.

Elegant Beauty, also trained by Amy, is having her first start in Harare. By Main Aim (GB), this four-year-old filly has one win and three places from 10 starts. Ryan Munger will be in the irons.

All things considered this trio will have to pick up their hooves. (Why do I keep typing Winx instead of Wylde Style?)

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News

FIRST RACE DUE OFF AT 12.45

The first race on Sunday is due off at 12.45 and this 1200m MR 65 Handicap includes some interesting runners. Penny Fisher’s pair, Zita and Bankers Blues ran behind Romantic Balladeer over 1450m at the last meeting, with Zita only 1.80 lengths back.

Others to consider are Nimble Dancer, a distance specialist, as well as Porterhouse and Just A Jag – all trained by Bridget Stidolph. Just A Jag has beaten Nimble Dancer before but is 2.5 kgs worse off here.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Zita with Ryan Munger in the irons.

PHILANTHROPY TRYING FOR A DOUBLE

Philanthropy, an easy winner at the Borrowdale Park meeting on September 9, goes for a double in the 1800m MR 59 Handicap on Sunday, but watch out for the turnaround in weights here. The son of Philanthropist (USA) has gone up by 8 points since his last outing.

Kirk Swanson has quite a strong hand with Stirling Road, Wee Doch ‘n Dorris and Baumgartner – nor can the remaining runners be discounted.

Photograph by Gavin Macleod: Philanthropy and Fanie Chambers team up again.

DON’T ASK ME

Zimbabwe Guineas winner Flasher On The Run will have his first outing since May 21 in the 1600m Graduation Plate on Sunday. Trainer Kirk Swanson also fields Tierce in this one.

There are 10 runners, some of whom raced on September 9. Graduation Plates are never on my list of favourite things and with the Formgrids site still on the blink don’t ask me for any predictions.

Seems like a likely race for Quartet fundis…go wide.

Photograph: Flasher On The Run, with Sherman Brown, winning the Guineas. Apprentice Mpumelelo Mjoka rides on Sunday and will claim 1.5 kgs.

There are seven races on this week’s Borrowdale Park card.

HAGA HAGA’S FOURTH WIN

Stable companions Haga Haga (Herholdt) and Perfect Grace (Derere) fought out the finish of the 1600m MR 74 Handicap, with Haga winning by 0.05 lengths. It was a memorable cliffhanger with both horses matching strides, head for head. Very exciting and congratulations to all the connections.

The four-year-old Haga Haga, by Mullins Bay (GB), is trained by Kirk Swanson, owned by Ben Mugabe and Ron Mhizha, and bred at Summerhill Stud.

WELL DONE FISHERS – HOPE YOU BACKED HIM

King’s Wager (44/1) squeaked home in the 1200m MR 50 Handicap on Saturday beating Detente (0.05 lengths), followed by Eurozone and Quick Glance. Kevin Derere was in the irons.
By King’s Chapel (AUS), King’s Wager was bred by Backworth Stud. He is trained by Penny Fisher and owned by Ken, Alistair and Alex Fisher.

CELEBRATING A STIDOLPH FIRST & SECOND

Romantic Balladeer (McNaughton) and Temple Run (Chambers) finished first and second in the 1450m MR 61 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday – both horses from the Stidolph yard.
The winner, Romantic Balladeer, is owned by the Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate (nominee Kirsty Stidolph) and was bred by Summerhill Stud. The eight-year-old gelding is by Trippi (USA) out of a National Assembly (CAN) mare. Congratulations to ALL the winning connections.

COACHELLA BEATS STABLE COMPANIONS TO THE WIRE

Coachella beat stable companions Cabinda and El Gallo to the wire in the 1000m AFZ Borrowdale Charity Sprint at Borrowdale Park on Saturday – winning margin 0.25 lengths. Newton Power, trained by Amy Bronkhorst, ran fourth.
I was expecting the older and wiser runners to do better here – which just goes to show how wrong one can be.
Coachella, a four-year-old Alado (GB) gelding, trained by Bridget Stidolph, owned by John Koumides and ridden by Fanie Chambers, was bred by Prof. I.M. Sanne. Congratulations to all the winning connections.

SMALL FIELD BUT WHAT A FINISH

Haga Haga (nearest the camera) and Perfect Grace were involved in a mighty heads up heads down battle in the 1600m MR 74 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. Haga Haga with Francois Herholdt up got the verdict by 0.10 lengths but Perfect Grace (Kevin Derere) gets full marks for perseverance.

By Mullins Bay (GB), Haga Haga is owned by Drs Ben Mugabe and Ronald Mhizha, and was bred by Summerhill Stud. Both horses concerned in this tight finish were trained by Kirk Swanson.

First race of the Borrowdale Park 2017/18 racing season tomorrow….and the course is looking lush and lovely after the annual break for maintenance. Well done MTC course and grounds staff and thanks to Gyles Dorward for all his honorary efforts.
Photograph by Rosie Dorward.

Photograph by Andrew Philip: Finish of the AFZ Charity Borrowdale Sprint in September, 2016.

…reach for a pin and pray…

Once upon a time there were no computers, or super websites like Formgrids, where one can find all the form at the click of a mouse. Unfortunately the Formgrids website is down.

It is back to basics, which involves peering at 6pt text taken from the back of race cards and scribbling on pieces of paper, immediately mislaid.

Add that Saturday’s Borrowdale Park meeting is the first since July 22, and finding likely winners become difficult. A mission impossible, actually.

The main race is the 1000m AFZ Charity Borrowdale Sprint and four of Saturday’s runners took part in this race in 2016. It was won by Approval Rating (60 kgs), followed by Nimble Dancer (52kgs), Sheik’s Brashee (57.5.5 kgs), Newton Power (55.5kgs), Road To Dubai (56kgs) and El Gallo (52 kgs). Only half a length separated the first five horses, with El Gallo 5.50 lengths back.

This time Approval Rating and Nimble Dancer are not in the line up. Sheik’s Brashee will carry 60.5 kgs; Road To Dubai 59.5, while El Gallo and Newton Power are on 53.5kgs. Racing for the first time in this event are Coachella (55.5) and Cabinda, ridden by Apprentice Habib who is expected to weigh in at 53 kgs.

The next step was to check on how these runners had fared recently over 1000m and the short answer is they have not. Since the 2016 running of the AFZ Charity Borrowdale Sprint, not counting Maiden Plates and races for juveniles, there have been five 1000m sprints comprising one MR 49 Handicap, three MR 50 Handicaps, and one MR 60 Handicap. The Merit Ratings of Saturday’s runners range from 75 to 96.

At his best Sheik’s Brashee has plenty of early toe, and from the outside draw could make light work of 60 kgs. Dual HRIB winner, Road to Dubai, may prefer a bit further. Newton Power, however, has a lot going for him here.

In the 2016 AFZ Newton Power finished 0.10 lengths behind Sheik’s Brashee, and 0.05 lengths in front of Road To Dubai. That day he was receiving 2 kgs from Sheik’s Brashee, and 0.5 kgs from Road To Dubai. On Saturday Sheik’s Brashee will concede 7 kgs, and Road To Dubai 6 kgs, to Newton Power, who has won 8 races and been placed 28 times from 61 starts. Morgan Nyamagwete has the ride.

Although I find it hard to look beyond these older horses, Bridget’s Stidolph’s trio – El Gallo, Coachella and Cabinda – should be considered. El Gallo has improved since his last start in the AFZ, while Coachella and Cabinda are unknown quantities in this company.

The first race on the card – a 1000m Maiden Plate – is due off at 11.45 am and Business Jet should go close. Sail From Sibaya, Eurozone and Detente catch my eye in the 1200m MR 50 Handicap.

Third race on the card – a 1450m MR 61 Handicap – has plenty of likely candidates, including a newcomer to Borrowdale, Big Chief, and Banker’s Blues who has returned to the fold after campaigning in Gauteng. I think I might go with Gateway Gamble and Romantic Balladeer here – just because.

Misterioso, Rebellious Queen and Cathayness seem most attractive in the 1600m Maiden Plate. There are only four runners in the 1600m MR 74 Handicap where I expect Lava Flow will make Haga Haga, Betula Uber and Perfect Grace work hard for some money.

Wee Doch ‘n Dorris, going for a double, steps out in the 1700m MR 55 Handicap, carrying 61 kgs. In my view this is the trickiest race on the card…reach for that pin and pray.

The results should be interesting and, if you want to watch the races, better high tail it to Borrowdale Park, because who knows what Tellytrack will do.

… and now we can look forward to 2017/18 racing season, starting on September 9…

FLASHBACK 2016/17 – BREEDERS SPRINT
The seven-year-old Battersea Park gelding, Ashton Park, trained by Penny Fisher Racing, achieved his ninth career victory in the 1450m Breeders Sprint at Borrowdale Park on July 22. Life Is Good was 1.25 lengths behind him, followed by Super Good and Road To Dubai.
Ryan Munger was in the irons and Ashton Park is owned by Mrs S.H. Mackenzie and Messrs P. Bamford, F.C. Blomkamp, A.J. Brand, P. F. MdoCarmo, G. Goksel, M.A. Govender, M.G. Schoeman and Wehann Smith, and the ZonkeEnaMushe Syndicate (nominee Mrs N.J. Fisher). Well done!
Ashton Park was bred by Mr Y. Khan.

FLASHBACK 2016/17 – ZRP FILLIES CHARITY STAKES
Wylde Style, bred in Zimbabwe by Peter Moor and owned and trained by Amy Bronkhorst, won the 1600m ZRP Fillies Charity Stakes at the last Borrowdale Park meeting of the 2016/17 season.
Sherman Brown had the winning ride and piloted Wylde Style across the line, ahead of Placid Sea, Betula Uber and Simona.
Champion Two-year-old in 2015/16, Wylde Style has now won 8 of her 17 starts and been placed 7 times. She is by West Man (USA) out of Soul Seeker (ZIM).
Congratulations Amy, Peter and Sherman.

FLASHBACK 2016/17 – CHAMPAGNE STAKES (L)
Flanders, trained by Bridget Stidolph won the 1450m Champagne Stakes at Borrowdale Park on July 22, finishing 0.05 lengths in front of stable companion Butchie Boy.
The Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) juvenile has now won all his four starts in Zimbabwe, and his victory ensured Bridget would end the season as Zimbabwe’s Champion Trainer.
Flanders is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd, and regular jockey, Fanie Chambers, was in the irons. The colt was bred by Zandvleit Stud. Congratulations to all the winning connections.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 REPUBLIC CUP (G3)
Amy Bronkhorst Racing saddled two of the first three horses past the post in the $40 000 Republic Cup (Gr3), including Comanche Brave, the winner.
By Kahal (GB), the four-year-old Comanche Brave won the $50 000 Castle Tankard in May, and came right again in this 1900m event . Randall Simons was in the irons and the minor places went to Ashton Park, Life Is Good and Roman Discent. Comanche Brave was bred by Summerhill Stud.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 CHAMPION JUVENILE STAKES (G3)
At the end of June Bridget Stidolph (above) saddled four winners at Borrowdale Park, including the cherry on top – Flanders – in the 1200m Champion Juvenile Stakes (Gr3).
The two-year-old gelding, owned by Newbury Racing (nominee Mr D.E. Evans), is by Gimmethegreeenlight (AUS) out of a Captain Al mare. He was bred by Zandfleit Stud and Fanie Chambers was in the irons. Flanders started at 12/10 on a day when most favourites failed. His stable companions Butchie Boy and Misterioso finished second and third.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 OK GRAND CHALLENGE (G2)
South African raider Royal Honour won the $40 000 OK Grand Challenge over 1800m at Borrowdale Park on June 3. Formerly trained by Paul Matchett, the four-year-old son of Archipenko (USA) was saddled by Bridget Stidolph. Jarryd Penny was in the irons and Royal Honour is owned by Mr Juan Taljaard.
Windigo came second, followed by Super Good and Cool Solution. Congratulations to all the winning connections.

The first race meeting of the Borrowdale Park 2017/18 season is on Saturday, September 9.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 ZIMBABWE DERBY (G3)
Another Classic triumph for Solinski (above) when she won the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby at the end of April. This is the third leg of the Triple Crown and the game filly finished four lengths clear of Life Is Good in soft going. Flasher On The Run and Crystalline completed the placings. Solinski is trained in the Kirk Swanson yard and Karl Zechner was in the irons.

FLASHBACK: 2017 CASTLE TANKARD (G1)
Then the prestigious $50 000 Castle Tankard on May 6 when Amy Bronkhorst and Evert Pheiffer bagged the big one with the ever improving Comanche Brave (above). The son of Kahal(GB) crossed the line ahead of Royal Honour (0.75 lengths back), Mathematician and Windigo. He was bred by Summerhill Stud.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 ZIMBABWE OAKS (L)
Solinski’s triumph in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks on May 21 completed a memorable quartet for the daughter of Fencing Master (GB). The three-year-old filly had won two legs of the Triple Tiara – the 1800m TBA Silver Slipper and the Oaks – plus two legs of the Triple Crown – the Bloodstock South Africa 2000 and the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby.
Karl Zechner rode Solinski in the Oaks, and she is trained by Kirk Swanson. Crystalline was second (0.75 lengths back), followed by Wylde Style then Explorer’s Club.

…another magnificent milestone

Dubbles Draper, former Borrowdale Park trainer and doyen of Zimbabwe racing, will be 95 tomorrow, August 16.
To this day Dubbles remains an ardent supporter of thoroughbreds – everywhere – and has a share in the wonderful filly, Solinski, who needs no introduction to anyone who follows racing at Borrowdale Park.
Have a truly exceptional birthday Dubbles, and many more memorable moments.
FLASHBACK: This photograph was taken at the Zimbabwe Yearling Sales many moons ago – thank you Jackie Cocksedge. Always elegant, Dubbles is centre stage with the beret.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 BREEDERS CHAMPIONS CUP (L)
Comanche Brave  (above), with Callan Murray up, won the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup on March 19, beating Mathematician, Duffi’s Call and Eurakilon home. By Kahal (GB), Comanche Brave is trained by Amy Bronkhorst.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 TBA SILVER SLIPPER (L)
The second leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara (for three-year-old fillies),the 1800m TBA Silver Slipper (L), was run at Borrowdale Park on March 19. It was won by the Fencing Master (GB) filly, Solinski (above), and Crystalline, Golden Mystery and Aloft were placed. Solinski is trained by Swanson Racing, Callan Murray was up.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 BLOODSTOCK SOUTH AFRICA 2000 (G3)
Silver Slipper winner Solinski (above) took on the boys in the Bloodstock South Africa 2000, second leg of the Triple Crown, and won. Her stablemates Flasher On The Run and Haga Haga could not catch her and Megagram was fourth. Kirk Swanson trains the daughter of the late Sobieski (USA) and Callan Murray was in the irons again on April 2.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 INDEPENDENCE TROPHY
Former Triple Tiara winner, Duffi’s Call (above), was involved in a close finish in the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 16 – and retained the upper hand. Only 0.60 lengths separated the first three home with Windigo (second) and Eurakilon (third) up there. Newton Power was fourth. Bridget Stidolph trained the winner and Callan Murray had the ride. This was the daughter of A P Answer (USA)’s seventh victory.

FLASHBACK- 2016/17 HACHIMAN SPRINT
Super Good (above), trained by Bridget Stidolph and ridden by Fanie Chambers, won the 1100m Hachiman Sprint on January 8. Road To Dubai, Wylde Style and Sheik’s Brashee also earned stake money. The 2017/18 Hachiman Sprint is likely to take place again in January, but exact date unavailable at present.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 FILLIES CLASSIC

First Leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara

Amy Bronkhorst’s Wylde Style (above), with Randall Manuel Simons aboard, won the 1600m Fillies Classic, First Leg of the Zimbabwe Triple Tiara, on February 19.
Solinski, Golden Mystery and Lady Carina were placed.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 IPI TOMBE STAKES (L)
Windigo (above) completed a feature double when he won the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes on February 19. He was two lengths clear of Mathematician, then came Comanche Brave and Eurakilon. The eight runners all carried 60 kgs. Trained by Swanson Racing, Windigo had Sherman Brown in the irons.

FLASHBACK: 2016/17 ZIMBABWE GUINEAS (G3)

First Leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown

Flasher On The Run (above), by Bold Silvano out of a National Assembly mare, won the 1600m Zimbabwe Guineas on March 12, First Leg of the Zimbabwe Triple Crown. Wylde Style, Haga Haga and Megagram followed him to the wire. The Flasher is trained by Kirk Swanson and Sherman Brown was in the irons.