Gokhan Terzi’s charge Principled Man returns to racing at Turffontein on Saturday after two come-back runs in Harare.

The Windrush gelding won two races (1400m and 1450m) at this course, but moved to Zimbabwe after an unplaced run at the Vaal in November. He was placed in both his starts at Borrowdale Park and was finishing strongly when a close second to Road To Dubai over 1300m on June 28.

On Saturday he takes part in a 1400m Graduation Plate due off at 16 00. Apprentice Wesley Marwing retains the ride. Principled Man is drawn 1 and carries 60 kgs.

Zimbabwe’s Breeders Champion Cup winner, Rock The Country, is one of 8 runners in the seventh race at the Vaal tomorrow (Wednesday).

The It’s A Rush MR 86 Handicap is due off at 16.10 and will be run over 2000m. The seven-year-old son of Western Winter is drawn 3 and will carry 59 kg. He will be ridden by Apprentice Wesley Marwing.

Gokhan Terzi has taken three horses to compete in South Africa. The three-year-old, Demagogue, disappointed his supporters on Sunday when giving weight to older horses, in a 1000m sprint.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

The Argonaut colt, Demagogue, will race at Turffontein tomorrow (Sunday). He is carded in Race 4, a Merit Rated 74 Handicap over 1000m, which is due off at 13.45.

There is no racing at Borrowdale Park until September 6 and trainer Gokhan Terzi has also taken Rock The Country and Principled Man to Gauteng where they will race over a period of three weeks.

Demagogue won two of his only three starts in Zimbabwe – both over 1000m. Terzi reports all the horses travelled well and have settled in their new surroundings. He believes Demagogue should run a place but doesn’t expect it to be easy. Regular jockey Apprentice Wesley Marwing has the ride.

This is a courageous move on Terzi’s part which will be watched with interest. With races few and far between at Borrowdale cross-border raids could be helpful, providing the horses run into the money.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

Apprentice Norbert Takawira is still a 4 kgs claimer yet the best he can ride at is 56 kgs after claiming. This means that in order to utilise his full claim he has to take 60 kgs rides, which makes it difficult for him to get many.

During the 2014/15 season Takawira rode 8 winners giving him a strike rate of 20%….and he received a Spey Bridge Special Award in recognition of this achievement.

Well done Norbert Takawira – keep up the good work in 2015/16.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

Most years the Spey Bridge Panel makes a few Special Awards and for 2014/15 Casten Bakasa received one of them.
He began working at Belvedere Racecourse in 1951 for a trainer called Coffin Grey, and when Borrowdale opened in 1959 he moved there and looked after the first horse to win at the new course. This was Tower Bridge, ridden by Stanley Eyden, owned by Boss Lilford, and trained by Coffin Grey.

Casten left the racecourse for a while in order to work for Ray Wright in trotting – drove in some races and won four.

Next he worked for Murray Lindley at Clouds End and Mogambo. Then back to the racecourse to join Michael Clements and later Vic Moore for a short while.

Casten was with the Noelene Peech yard for a number of years looking after a good filly called Peppermint, and when Noelene moved to Durban for a while he joined the Kirk Swanson yard, where he still is. He was the winner of the Champion Groom Award in 2004.

Casten is renowned for his grooming abilities and he takes great pride in his horses. He is also a keen photographer.

Photograph: Rosie Dorward

Joyce Piers was kept busy presenting the numerous Spey Bridge Awards. Grant Littleford accepted the People’s Horse Award for Super Trouper. This is decided by popular vote and goes to a horse who consistently gives his best even if unable to win all the big races – in other words the punters’ friend.

Super Trouper had a great season as a seven-year-old and Grant said he will be back for more next season. The West Man (USA) gelding is owned by Paul Rugg, Grant Littleford and Spencer Murray and is trained by Gokhan Terzi.

Super Trouper was a close second to Equina in the recent 1900m Republic Cup and an even closer second in Sunday’s 1400m Breeders Sprint. Watch the video of the Breeders Sprint below – this horse is all heart.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

The Open Series is one of the MTC/MOTA/NHA Racing Awards and it was shared by Equina, a daughter of Silvano (GER) and Yer-Maan, by Jam Alley (AUS).

Amy Bronkhorst, trainer of Equina, accepted the trophy from Patricia Wakefield. Yer-Maan is owned and trained by St John Gray, and Peter Moor owns Equina.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

…and we don’t mean Quinton Riddle who accepted Yer-Maan’s award from Joyce Piers in the MOTA bar on Sunday. Thanking owner/trainer St John Gray for the rides on Yer-Maan, Quinton paid tribute to Gokhan Terzi who kept Yer-Maan at the top of his game during his stay in Zimbabwe.

The six-year-old son of Jam Alley (AUS), with Riddle up, won both the $50 Castle Tankard and the $40 OK Grand Challenge, then ran a commendable third in the $40 000 Republic Cup. Quinton said he knew Yer-Maan was the horse for him when he watched replays of Yer-Maan’s previous races in South Africa.
Photograph: Gavin Macleod

This trophy was donated by the Muscutt family in memory of the late Paul Muscutt, one of Borrowdale Park’s most successful young jockeys. It is awarded to a jockey with mentor qualities who sets a good example and is generally helpful.

Morgen Nyamagwete received this award for 2014/15. During a large part of the year Morgen rides in Kuwait and last season won the Kuwait Derby, a big race on that calendar. When he is in Zimbabwe he goes to every ring in the mornings to ride work – and there is no doubt he is an excellent ambassador for Zimbabwe when riding elsewhere. Joyce Piers presented this award.

Picture: Gavin Macleod