The eight-year-old Kitalpha(USA) gelding, Gotago, raced around the bend for the first time at Borrowdale Park on Sunday and won the 1450m MR 70 Handicap.

This was Gotago’s ninth win. He is owned by Heinrich and Amanda von Penzold, John Koumides and C. John Smith, and trained by Kirk Swanson. Sherman Brown was in the irons.

A quality field will contest the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. Not often can it be said that four of the runners – Mathematician, Eurakilon, Rock The Country and Duffi’s Call – have won every major event that can be won at Borrowdale.

Obviously they are the main players on Sunday but perhaps Principled Man, Comanche Brave or Noble Peer can throw a spanner in the works…. but it seems unlikely.

In 2016 Mathematician won the Bloodstock SA 2000 and 2400m Zimbabwe Derby, then ran half a length behind Rock The Country in the Castle Tankard (2000m) at level weights (52 kgs). Eurakilon on 55.5 kgs was three lengths further back.

The Derby winner finished fourth to Duffi’s Call in the 2000m OK Grand Challenge, conceding 3kgs , then went on to take the 1900m Republic Cup beating Duffi’s Call and Eurakilon by 2 lengths and 4.50 lengths respectively. That day Duffi’s Call received 0.5 kgs from Mathematician, while Eurakilon gave the winner 2 kgs.

Mathematican has only raced three times this season and two of these races were over distances far short of his best. On February 19 he ran two lengths behind Windigo in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes, trailed by Sunday’s runners Comanche Brave, Eurakilon and Principled Man. That day the field met at level weights.

On Sunday Mathematician will be distance suited but now pays a price for his successes as a three-year-old. He is set to carry top weight (60 kgs) but Apprentice Calvin Habib will claim 1.5 kgs so Eurakilon and Rock The Country will only receive 0.5 kgs from the younger horse.

Bridget Stidolph’s second runner, Duffi’s Call, carries 55.5 kgs and will be ridden by Brendon McNaughton. This will be the filly’s first outing at Borrowdale since coming second in the Republic Cup, then campaigning without success at Turffontein. However, back on her home turf Duffi’s Call probably remains a force to be reckoned with. As a three-year-old she won the Fillies Classic, the TBA Silver Slipper, and the Zimbabwe Oaks, as well as the Ok Grand Challenge (Gr2).

Eurakilon won the Breeders Champions Cup in 2016, carrying top weight, and Rock The Country, three lengths back, received 2 kgs. Next time out in April he won the 1600m Independence Trophy and, although Eurakilon has not won since, is usually thereabouts so respect him. This seven-year-old has won seven races, and is now trained by Amy Bronkhorst, as is Comanche Brave. Randall Simons rides.

Since moving to Zimbabwe in November 2014, Rock The Country has won four races, including the big one, the US$ 50 000 Castle Tankard in 2016. He is now trained by Penny Fisher, who will also saddle Noble Peer and Principled Man. Rock The Country’s last race was in the Republic Cup in July, so it is difficult to guess where he is at this point in time. On Sunday Hennie Greyling will be in the irons.

Seriously, one must expect to find the winner amongst this quartet. There is a wealth of confusing previous form to work with…confusing being the operative word.

The Stidolph yard has a strong hand with Mathematician and Duffi’s Call providing they bring their three-year-old form to the table, when competing against older horses and up in weight? Is Rock The Country the same horse that won the Tankard?

As for those waiting in the wings to confound us, Principled Man won the 2016 Ipi Tombe Stakes, beating Eurakilon at level weights. This year he finished well back in the Ipi Tombe but perhaps did not act in the heavier going. Sherman Brown rides on Sunday.

Comanche Brave is not handicapped to win (Callan Murray being likely to ride at 53 kgs) but he finished an 8 lengths third to Windigo in the Ipi Tombe Stakes in February, when also out at the weights. Previously he finished five lengths clear of Noble Peer over 1800m, when receiving 2kgs, but has yet to try further.

Ryan Munger rides Noble Peer who is a three-time winner from 1400m to 1600m, but has placed up to 2000m. He may be outclassed here but I am always prepared to be surprised.

Looking ahead to the premier races later this season, the outcome of the Breeders Champion Cup will be interesting, to say the least.
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Photograph: Brendon McNaughton teams up again with Duffi’s Call.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News. How they finished in the recent Fillies Classic.. .Wylde Style, Solinski and Golden Mystery.

The TBA Silver Slipper, second leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara, will be run over 1800m at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

At the risk of being boring I have to say it seems as if she who beats Wylde Style wins.  However the top filly  has yet to go beyond 1600m.  Only five runners are due to contest this listed event but it is quite a classy line-up.  All have potential which makes for a good race.

WYLDE STYLE

Six time winner Wylde Style needs no introduction.  She won the 1600m Fillies Classic, beating Solinski by 0.75 lengths, and finished second in the 1600m Zimbabwe Guineas at the last meeting.  The chances are that whoever beats Wylde Style wins – providing the daughter of West Man (USA) sees out 1800m.  Penetrometer reading at the Guineas meeting was 33 and if the rain continues to hold off the going should be better this time. Owned and trained by Amy Bronkhorst, drawn 5.  Randall Simons rides.

CRYSTALLINE

By Biarritz out of a Goldkeeper  (USA) mare.  5 starts in Gauteng and KZN from 1160m to 1600m.  Second over 1400m to Blue Berry Pie at Greyville in January.  Last start, also at Greyville, when finishing fifth over 1600m, 6.75 lengths off Into The Groove.  Ex Sean Tarry and definitely a dark horse.  Owned and trained now by Bridget Stidolph,  drawn 1.  Fanie Chambers rides.

GOLDEN MYSTERY

Gutsy  filly by Main Aim (GB) who triumphed in the Breeders Fillies Mile on July 31.  On previous form will have to pull out all the stops to beat Wylde Style but tried the 1800m trip when placed behind Placid Sea, Valmont and Haga Haga in a Novice Plate.  Consistent sort and likely to finish in the money.  Trained by Gavin Macleod and drawn 3.  Apprentice Caleb Habib will claim 1.5 kgs which is to the good.

ALOFT

Stable mate and paternal half-sister to Golden Mystery.  This good looking filly has most experience racing around the turn and won a 1700m Maiden Plate in yielding going in January, finishing four lengths clear of subsequent Guineas winner Flasher On The Run.  Prior to that finished 3.25 lengths behind Megagram over 1800m.  Fluffed her lines a bit  in the recent Fillies Classic when Wylde Style, Solinski,  Golden Mystery  and Lady Carina had her measure but I think she can improve on that here.  Trained by Gavin Macleod and drawn 4.  Sherman Brown will ride Aloft for the first time.

SOLINSKI

This will be Solinski’s fourth start and in her last outing she ran within 0.75 lengths of Wylde Style in the 1600m Fillies Classic.  The daughter of Fencing Master (GB) won over 1200m and it will be very interesting to see how she fares over Sunday’s trip.  Trained by Kirk Swanson Solinski is drawn (2). Callan Murray rides.

Temple Run’s connections…feeling good. Photograph Rosie Dorward

Bridget Stidolph saddled four of the seven winners at Borrowdale Park on Sunday and is seen here with jockey Fanie Chambers and the winning connections after Temple Run won the Get Out Stakes (1260m MR 50 Handicap).

Temple Run is owned by Messrs S.N. Buchan, N. Evans, R. Sherwood and M.K. Chant. By Toreador (IRE) he was bred by The Alchemy.

While making his speech at the Zimbabwe Guineas presentation on Sunday, Mashonaland Turf Club Chairman Christopher Peech announced an amendment to Local Condition 3.  As From Monday, March 13, the Turf Club will accept a minimum of three entries, from two trainers, in a race. 

In the past the MTC has been reluctant to stage events with less than 8 runners, and Mr Peech must be commended for doing what he has to do, under existing circumstances.

However, I sincerely hope our Borrowdale Park trainers will continue to make every effort to avoid extra small fields.

Ngong fielded three horses in one of their races on Sunday March 12, and it was farcical.  The thought of watching something similar at Borrowdale is enough to make one weep…..Had the three runners been evenly matched it would have been different – but they were not, and no way could this be considered a race.

To rub salt into the wounds yesterday Sporting Post carried an article about 130 horses bound for Mauritius.

A few years back Champ de Mars was not operating from a rose garden.  There were serious problems both financial and otherwise..but they seem to have put this behind them.

It is no secret that Borrowdale’s racehorse population is dwindling, and that when comparing Zimbabwe with Mauritius, at present, all things are probably not equal. Even so I would like to know how the Champ de Mars stakes compare with those at Borrowdale Park?

Are the owners of the recently imported horses all based in Mauritius – and, if not, is it easy for owners to transfer winnings from Mauritius? Are the Mauritian racing authorities subsidising the importation/transportation of these horses?

Is there any wand we could possibly wave to get a consignment of horses here?

To make sure I am not the only one spitting blood and green with envy, part of the Sporting Post article is copied below:

“Close on 130 horses have arrived for the new season, which commences with the running of the Duchess Of York Cup on Saturday, 25 March.

“The Australian-bred son of High Chaparral, who raced in the yellow and royal blue of Al Adiyaat SA, won the Gr3 Gold Vase and Gold Cup in consecutive starts in the last SA Champions Season, but battled to regain his form thereafter.

“He will join the Gujadhur yard and looks likely to have the Maiden Cup in September as his chief target, where he could face another son of High Chaparral in Parachute Man.

“Former Gavin van Zyl trained 6yo Qatar Springs, a winner of six races, has joined the yard of Jean-Michel Henry, who has also brought Brett Crawford’s Midnite Zone, a sprinter who has won thrice and placed six times.

“Gr3 Godolphin Barb runner-up Beat The Retreat, a former Alistair Gordon runner, is another highly regarded horse exported to further his career on the island.”

The son of Bold Silvano, Flasher On The Run, won the Zimbabwe Guineas, with a couple of lengths to spare, at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, March 12. Wylde Style finished second, Haga Haga third and Megagram fourth.

Flasher On The Run was ridden by Sherman Brown for Kirk Swanson. The three-year-old gelding, out of a National Assembly (CAN) mare, is owned by John Koumides and was bred by Ascot Stud.

There is racing at Borrowdale Park this Sunday, March 12, 2017. This is the meeting postponed from March 5 and a Zimbabwe Guineas preview, tips etc have already been published on this site.

Please note that the Weights & Draws for Sunday, March 19, have today been posted on this website.

The Borrowdale Park race meeting scheduled for March 5 will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Feature race the Zimbabwe Guineas and first race due off at 12 55.

Scratched

The Borrowdale Park race meeting has been postponed until Sunday, March 12, due to heavy rains.

From the official MTC race card

Race 1: Cabinda (1), Ezekial (3), Cathayness (5), Rebellious Queen (7).

Race 2: Supa Challenge (3), Zita (4), Ice Pack (5), Rhythmical Reply (6).

Race 3:  Piece Of Pizazz (8), Muhannad (5), Valmont (4), Dictate (6).

Race 4:  Danger Dan (1), Master Stroke (2), Delta (5), Glorious Dawn (6).

Race 5:  Stirling Road (2),  Placid Sea (9), Golden Mystery (7), Al Salaam (8).

Race 6:  Wylde Style (7), Don’tfencemein (8), Flasher On The Run (1), Haga Haga (2).

Race 7:  Detente (9), Eurozone (3), Esprit de Corps (2), Fashion World (7).

BORROWDALE SCRATCHINGS

Race 4: Glorious Dawn

Race 6: Determination