A four-year-old son of Announce, Super Good, stepped up in class at Borrowdale Park on Sunday and won the 1100m Hachiman Sprint with style. He was receiving 5kgs from the 2016 winner, Road To Dubai, who finished 3.75 lengths back in heavy going.

Wylde Style and Sheik’s Brashee filled the other places.

From the Mashonaland Turf Club race card for JANUARY 8th 2017

RACE 1 – King’s Wager (1), Solinski (8), Ezekial (3), Man Of Distinction (4).

If there is a deluge could the lightly weighted Tamarind surprise us?  Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

This Borrowdale Park race meeting – the first of 2017 – looks set to be more of a mind game than usual.  The recent departure of Gokhan Terzi, rather more than less, to the Vaal, has resulted in the remaining trainers battling to keep the scheduled races alive.  Now we have to decide who is in it to win it, who is out for a run and who would rather have stayed in the stables.

Not that I have any objection to mind games because that, after all, is what makes racing special. There is so much more to it than simply ticking off names in a box.  With a bit of thought one can pick up a Quartet or two, and Borrowdale Quartets are worth winning.

The main event on Sunday is the 1100m Hachiman Sprint where Kirk Swanson will saddle five of the eight runners and of these I would say Road To Dubai is definitely in to win, although Penny Fisher’s charge, Sheik’s Brashee, is there to spoil his fun.

Bridget Stidolph fields the in-form Super Good, and Amy Bronkhorst’s three-year-old star, Wylde Style, also gets the chance to show how good she is up against the big boys.

We have to consider the going, and long distance predictions are about as reliable as weather forecasts seem to be right now.  There is likely to be a lot more rain, punctuated with brilliant sunshine, and Borrowdale Park drains well.

In a field of this nature expect some surprises.  In fact the more I think about it the more this seems a fascinating race. Expect more of the same in the rest of Sunday’s races.  Dare I say the Hachiman Sprint runners listed below appear in order of preference?  I don’t think so.

SHEIK’S BRASHEE – (63 kgs) Ignore his last outing in the Zimbabwe Challenge as 1450m has never been his game.  Concentrate rather on the MR 95 Handicap run over 1100m on November 6, which he won, beating Approval Rating and Road To Dubai, and the HRIB Gold Cup on December 18 when Sheik’s Brashee ran third to Road To Dubai, giving his younger paternal half-brother  6 kgs for a 2.60 lengths beating.  He will be 3kgs better off on Sunday.  Ryan Munger rides and he jumps from the number 2 stall.  Likely Tote favourite.

ROAD TO DUBAI – (60 kgs) winner of the 1200m HRIB Gold Cup on December 18, but with the turnaround in weights this gifted sprinter has more to do here.  Ran a shocker in November when third to Sheik’s Brashee over 1100m but was hanging-in in the final 250m.  Keagan de Melo rides on Sunday from a number 3 draw.  Four of Road To Dubai’s 8 wins have been over Sunday’s distance so definitely in with a big shout .

TAMARIND – (52 kgs) drawn 7 out of 8, Kevin Derere rides this son of Kahal (GB) for the first time.  With Keagan de Melo aboard Tamarind finished a creditable third to Newton Power and Road To Dubai over 1200m on May 7, and he is also lightly weighted here. He ran behind Sunday’s runners Super Good and Wylde Style over 1260m but meets them now on slightly better terms.  Definitely in my Quartet.

The two younger horses, SUPER GOOD and WYLDE STYLE both carry 54 kgs and have drawn 4 and 5 respectively.  Eric Pheiffer will ride Wylde Style while Fanie Chambers has Super Good.  Neither of these horses have taken on the likes of Sheik’s Brashee and Road To Dubai previously, but considering the weight they will have on their side I don’t know what to expect.  The Quartet looms larger.

MADIGAN – (57.5 kgs)  – drawn 1 – Sherman Brown in the irons.  Was no slouch over 1100m and 1200m initially, but that was a long time ago and he has gathered most of his many laurels over more ground.  The inclusion of this talented 8-year-old makes life interesting but I don’t think he will make my quartet on Sunday  – but OMG imagine the payout if this old favourite pulls a fast one.

PERFECT GRACE – 53 kgs – has the outside draw and Brendon McNaughton aboard – neither of these factors would one normally choose to overlook.  However, 1400m is the shortest trip this five-year-old son of Antonius Pius (USA) has ever attempted so maybe give him a miss.  Of course I – and everyone who has trained this horse to date – could be wrong.  We have to wait and see.

SILVA HAWK –  (60kgs) – Norbert Takawira rides.  Drawn 6.  A 7-year-old son of Silvano (GER)  having his first start at Borrowdale.  Three-time winner at Scottsville, Turffontein and Greyville from 1400m to 1600m.  Last race was at Greyville in February 2016 – watch for now.

The first race is due off at 12 40. Come rain or shine, if you can, please be there to support the trainers who have had to pull out most of the stops for Sunday.

 Photograph courtesy of Zimbabwe Equine News. If there is a deluge could the lightly weighted Tamarind surprise us?
 

Borrowdale Park Tote Favourites were conspicuously absent from the Number 1 Box on Sunday – in fact only two finished in the first four.  The penetrometer reading at the beginning of the meeting was 23 – a far cry from the 12 recorded on December 3 – and rain fell during the afternoon.

Bridget Stidolph saddled the winners of the first three races on the card and then followed up in the lucky last.

Windigo, trained by Kirk Swanson and with Randall Simons in the irons, snatched victory from Newton Power in the last stride of the 1450m Zimbabwe Challenge – winning margin 0.05 lengths.

By Windrush (USA), Windigo is owned by Colin Bird . His previous four wins have been over more ground but the five-year-old gelding produced a storming finish, after being rested for 155 days. He was bred by The Alchemy.

Phantom Major and Sherman Brown won the 1450m Novice Plate for owner John Koumides and the Swanson yard.  By Sarge, Phantom Major now won both his starts and he was bred by Mr D.G.M. Southey, who also bred the Stidolph winner Super Good.

By Announce and owned by The Sunmark Racing Three, Super Good, held off Cool Solution, Wylde Style and Tamarind in the  1260m MR 78 Handicap.  Fanie Chambers had the ride and he also scored with the Stidolph-trained Nemba Beach, in the 1200m Maiden Plate, and Milla’s Smile in the 1260m MR 59 Handicap – both horses owned by Newbury Racing.

Brendan McNaughton was aboard the other Stidolph winner, Megagram, in the third race, a 1800m Maiden Plate.  The three-year-old gelding, by Tamburlaine (IRE), belongs to Messrs M.S. Kajese and R.E. Davenport and was bred by Sunmark Thoroughbreds.

The remaining training honours went to Penny Fisher when David’s Flower and Ryan Munger  comfortably won the 1700m MR 63 Handicap.  The Australian bred gelding has won three of his last four starts – and three before that.  He is owned by Messrs C. Lafraisiere and D.L.G. Basnier.

The next Borrowdale Park race meeting is on Sunday, January 8, and features the Hachiman Sprint.

Windigo won the  2016 Zimbabwe Challenge

The weather may hold the key…

Former Kranje star Flax has to date won one race at Borrowdale Park, and that was the 1450m Breeders Sprint on July 31.

Bridget Stidolph’s charge steps out on Sunday in the Zimbabwe Challenge, also over 1450 m, where he is set to carry 59 kgs to stable mate Mathematician’s top weight of 60 kgs.  Both these runners took part in the 1200m HRIB Gold Cup on December 3 and trailed in – a pipe opener for this race, perhaps.
Zimbabwe Horse of The Year, Mathematician, won his four races from 1300m to 2400m, but judging by their previous experience over this trip Flax probably has the edge.

Sheik’s Brashee from the Penny Fisher yard will carry 57 kgs this time but has yet to win beyond 1200m.  He finished third in the HRIB, 2.60 lengths back and giving the winner 6 kgs.

The son of The Sheik was well beaten by Flax at level weights in the Breeders Sprint.  Now he receives 2kgs and his recent form is excellent, but how will he handle the extra ground?

All of Windigo, Madigan, Call Me Earl, La Carmelita and Newton Power come in at 53,5 kgs or below.
Newton Power (52kgs) has won over Sunday’s distance both at Borrowdale and Turffontein, and also clocked up a 1400m victory at the Vaal.  He was 1.75 lengths off Flax in the Breeders Sprint, at level weights, and last time out ran second to Road To Dubai in the HRIB.  He has to be a real danger here.

As for the rest do not write them off.  They will see out the trip and Madigan, for instance, has been placed several times in this particular race, carrying much more than he will on Sunday.

The outcome is probably going to depend on the conditions underfoot.  At the last meeting I predicted a change in the going – which did not happen.  Surely we have now had sufficient rain to shift the readings away from Firm?

Another particularly interesting race on Sunday’s card is the second, a 1260m MR 78 Handicap, where Comanche Brave takes on Tote Free Handicap winner, and stable companion, Wylde Style.

By Kahal (GB) the four-year-old gelding, Comanche Brave has won three of his seven Borrowdale starts, over 1200m and 1600m, and been placed second over 1200m and 1800m.  He ran fourth in the recent HRIB and will be giving the three-year-old West Man (USA) filly, Wylde Style, 1,5 kgs on Sunday.  The stable mates have not met previously and five-time winner Wylde Style has not raced in open company before. Comanche Brave has the outside draw.

Amy Bronkhorst’s  pair will be giving weight to the rest of the field which includes the Kirk Swanson trio, Tamarind, Gotago and Cool Solution.  Bridget Stidolph fields Super Good, El Gallo and Nimble Dancer.  Super Good has got the better of Comanche Brave at level weights…and now receives 2,5 kgs. Tamarind is also one to follow, I think.

This smallish field could provide a worthwhile Quartet.  Wish I knew what the weather was really going to do.  There has been a good, soaking rain and weather  fundis  expect more.

Photograph: Flax heading for home in the  1450m  Breeders Sprint on July 31.  Followed by Newton Power and Eurakilon.

Minor events provided the tightest finishes at the last Borrowdale Park race meeting. The cliffhanger of the day was the finish of the fourth race, a 1800m Maiden Plate.

The Bridget Stidolph trained Karatu, with Fanie Chambers up, held off Supalumina (0.10) and Aloft (0.60). Supalumina was ridden by Keagan de Melo for the Swanson yard, while Aloft, with Kevin Derere aboard, is trained by Gavin Macleod.

Let’s take the sad news first. Zimbabwe’s Champion Trainer 2015/16, Gokhan Terzi, is heading to South Africa, and will be missed. However his Borrowdale Park yard will remain in operation – and that’s the good part.

Gokhan said today “First load of horses are leaving on the 14th December. The second load will be leaving two weeks later. I’m taking down 25 of the horses currently in my yard.

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.