Borrowdale Park’s end-of-season race meeting on Sunday, July 26, appeared to go off well but has now become mired in controversy due to the reported failure of the photo finish equipment.

This is a land plagued by constant power outages and power surges. The Mashonaland Turf Club’s generator is always on standby so racing continues. This time, however, there was a major hitch, possibly due to a power cut. An investigation will be conducted into the why and wherefores and, as luck would have it, there were several very close finishes during the afternoon.

Although the main race of the day was the TBA Champagne Stakes the focus was also on the outcome of the 1400m Breeders Sprint where distance specialist Super Trooper seemed almost sure to succeed. The seven-year-old West Man (USA) gelding produced his customary late challenge, gaining on Equina with every stride, but he was beaten by 0.05 lengths while conceding 6.5 kgs.

Equina’s increased weight advantage came about when J.P. van der Merwe missed the early flight to Harare, and arrived on the course after the race. Claiming Apprentice Serino Moodley picked up the ride. Eurakilon, first time out at Borrowdale, was a close third, with the three-year-old filly, Picalilly not far behind.

Equina is owned by Peter Moor, trained by Amy Bronkhorst, and bred by Cheveley Stud. Both Equina and Super Trouper were rewarded for their stout efforts during the 2014/15 season at the Annual Racing Awards Presentation which took place after the final race.

The Moor/Bronkhorst combination featured again when the Horse Chestnut filly, Chestnut Girl, ran out an easy winner of the Sunmark Thoroughbreds MR 64 Handicap, three lengths clear of Jean’s Dancer. Francois Herholdt was in the irons, his second winner, and the three-year-old filly was bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.

Although I wasn’t expecting much from the 1200m TBA Champagne Stakes (L) the 10 locally bred two-year-olds turned up trumps. The first four past the post came within a length of each other, with only a whisker separating the winner, Rocky Road, from Cherry Brook. Vaya Con Dios and Starry Notions filled the other placings. Continue reading →

It’s back to basics at Borrowdale Park on Sunday with all the main feature races behind us. However the memories linger and add some spice to this eight-race card.

Equina, Super Trouper, Thriller In Manila, Two Gun Kid and Gentle Brook are among the 10 runners in the 1400m Breeders Sprint and my guess is that whoever beats Super Trouper wins.

The seven-year-old West Man (USA) gelding won this race last year, with Sunday’s runner Alula Borealis placed fourth, 2.55 lengths back. Once I would have insisted 1400m was Super Trouper’s best game but his close second to Equina in the 1900m Republic Cup denies that. However, back up the straight and meeting his closest rivals, Thriller In Manilla and Alula Borealis at level weights, the race should be in the bag.

Equina and Gentle Brook, the two mares here, have their 2.5 kgs weight advantage plus, in Gentle’s Brooke’s case, an apprentice aboard claiming 4kgs. Weight counts but both horses probably prefer more ground. Two Gun Kid, with Apprentice Diego da Gouveia up, will only carry 56 kgs but seems well held by others, and I would include Quick Glance and Prince Fireball in that category when they are lumbered with 60 kgs.

In addition to Super Trouper Gokhan Terzi saddles the five-year-old Classic Flag gelding, Eurakilon. His five wins were over 1600m and 1800m and this will be his first start at Borrowdale.

Last, but maybe significant, is the three-year-old Gharir (IRE) filly, Picalilly, who was rested after a disappointing performance in the 1800m Silver Slipper on March 8. She ran second to Print The Pounds in both the 1600m Fillies Classic and the Zimbabwe Guineas. Prior to that Picalilly was a demon up the straight, earning the title of Champion Two-Year-Old during the 2013/14 season. Set to carry 56.5 kgs, and with Quinton Riddle in the irons, this filly could surprise but takes on big guns now.

I suspect this may be the very last time we see a race run over 1400m at Borrowdale Park. In the latest racing programme the Zimbabwe Challenge, traditionally run over 1400m, is now shown at 1450m which involves racing around the home turn, and rumour has it there are other plans for part of our Borrowdale straight.
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Wat’s Up Sarge, a winner of a 1300m Novice Plate at the July 12 race meeting, will try to make it two in a row when she takes part in the 1200m MR 65 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. JP van der Merwe will be riding for Gokhan Terzi again.

The four-year-old filly, by Sarge out of an Eliodor mare, was bred by Greystone Stud and has won two races.
Photograph Gavin Macleod