says C. John Smith writing from the U.K.

This weekend sees the renewal of the Zimbabwe Derby. I have raced for almost forty years at Borrowdale and in that time I have been fortunate enough to have had/been involved with some cracking horses, excellent trainers and some superb jockeys.

For old farts like me can I mention The Toff, Bayshore Towers, Glen Monarch and Earl Of Surrey, then Roy Magner, Sharon Patterson, Noelene Peech, Lisa Harris and Geoff Woodruff, then we had Ivan Moore, Reid Patterson, the brilliant Dewi Williams and two Riddles, Noel and Quinton – not to mention Gavin Lerena (world class) Johnny Geroudis and Richard Fourie.

Former Borrowdale Park trainer, Noelene Peech

Gokhan Terzi seemed set for a sizzling afternoon at Borrowdale Park on Sunday when saddling the winners of the first two races – and then the wheels came off.

Main race of the day was the US$12 600 Independence Trophy over 1600m. Most dogs were barking for Terzi’s charge, Glorious Jet, but down at the start the Jet Master gelding dumped Apprentice Wesley Marwing, slipped his bridle and bolted back to the 2800m mark.

Although Glorious Jet then made his own way back he managed to find the gap in the railings and went skipping through the trees before being caught. Continue reading →

Another happy group at Borrowdale Park on Sunday after Changa won the last race of the day, a 1000m Maiden Plate, The Mogok filly was bred by Nadia Barnwell and is owned by John Koumides and Nadia.

Changa was ridden by Francois Herholdt and trained by Kirk Swanson who saddled another winner earlier in the afternoon.

INDEPENDENCE TROPHY FOR LUCKY SAM

Lucky Sam, trained by Bridget Stidolph and ridden by Randall Simons came back to his best form when winning the Independence Trophy at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. He is owned by Rob Davenport and Sam Kajese.

This race is run over 1600m and the Imperial Stride (GB) gelding, bred by Milkwood Stud, was followed home by Killa Man, Menacing and Equina. The fancied Glorious Jet dislodged his rider at the start, bolted, and was subsequently withdrawn by the vet.

Nadia Barnwell presented the Trophy to the winning connections.

Lucky Sam was ridden by Randall Simons and trained by Bridget Stidolph

There have been better days at Borrowdale Park. Racing on Sunday was a punters’ nightmare with most Tote favourites falling by the wayside, while followers of form should have rather gone fishing.

However, that said, I would have been sorry to miss the main race, the US$ 8 100 Bloodstock South Africa 2000 (Gr3), where Merhaba with Apprentice Wesley Marwing in the irons, and trained by Gokhan Terzi, was an impressive winner over the 2000m trip.  His stable companion, Eversolucky, recent winner of the 1800m TBA Silver Slipper, took the early lead with Merhaba and Mica Point keeping in close touch.  Merhaba soon headed the filly and piloted the field well into the home straight where Mica Point surged ahead.  Just when it seemed all over bar the shouting Merhaba found more, fought back, and crossed the line 1.25 lengths clear of the Continue reading →

A reminder that it’s good to be at Borrowdale Park, Harare, on a Sunday afternoon. Graham Nicholas Spike snapped the finish of the fourth race on Sunday when Say So Tiger narrowly beat Maturin and Second Light. Photograph: Graham Nicholas Spike