(This is my personal opinion and one which may not be shared by other members of the MOTA Committee – Sheldene Chant)

The vast majority of people who own racehorses do so for the love of the game and not because they are likely to make money.

Borrowdale Park has been fortunate in that some owners have supported this racing venue regardless of constant setbacks, disappointments and ever increasing expenses. They may not be particularly pleased with the situation but are in for the long haul because they enjoy racing.

As I am quite ancient I remember Borrowdale Park at its best when we raced three or four times a month. Although the course was subjected to more racing then, the annual racing break in August lasted three weeks. Now we are lucky to race twice a month and the annual break extends over six weeks. At that time the Mashonaland Turf Club actually promoted racing, and recognised that live racing was the reason for its existence. Oh well…those were the days, but back to the present.

The 2400m Zimbabwe Derby was due to be run at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, April 22, but heavy rain fell during the week, starting on Wednesday. By Saturday no reasonable person living within 25kms of the racecourse could have expected to race on Sunday, and that includes trainers and “stipes”. As Borrowdale “imports” several jockeys from South Africa for each race meeting (airfares and riding fees paid for by the owners) a decision was looked for on Saturday afternoon, without success.

At about 8.30 on Sunday morning interested parties were informed that racing would go ahead – and the rest is history. After two races the meeting was cancelled because of the going.
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Rob Davenport (Nominee: Sunmark Syndicate), jockey Donovan Mansour, Solomon David and Bridget Stidolph after the Announce gelding, Super Good, won the 1100m Maiden Juvenile Plate in heavy going at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

Racing was abandoned after the second race.

For traditionalists the thought of not running the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby (GR 3), third leg of the Triple Crown, is too awful to contemplate. Unfortunately racing’s powers-that-be don’t feel the same way – these days it is all about numbers.  In 2013 and 2014 the fate of the Zim Derby hung in the balance but tradition triumphed eventually.

Thirteen runners were nominated for the 2015 event, worth US$9 000, and, thankfully, at the Final Acceptance stage eight horses stood their ground. None of the three-year-olds  cantering down to the start at Borrowdale Park on Sunday are  making a bid for the Triple Crown, but the field includes Merhaba, winner of the Bloodstock South Africa 2000, second leg of the Zimbabwe Triple Crown.  Mica Point and Tallie Two, second and third to Merhaba that day, have also picked up the gauntlet.

Merhaba, with his Bloodstock win behind him, is obviously the horse the rest have to beat, and Gokhan Terzi has also entered River Waltz, a winner over 2000m on March 22. He expects both these horses to be competitive on Sunday.  Stable jockey Apprentice Wesley Marwing once again has the ride on Merhaba and Gokhan says, “This horse keeps on improving and has been waiting for this 2400m distance.  We aimed the Derby for Merhaba about six months ago and so far everything has come to plan.  I am hoping he will win on Sunday.”

River Waltz shed his maiden certificate over 2000m last time out, beating Jannie Blignaut’s runner, Spanish Matador, by two lengths. Terzi says River Waltz has “also been crying out for more distance”.  He believes this colt, by The Sheik, is also improving and “deserves a place chance on Sunday.” Chase Maujean will be in the irons.

Bridget Stidolph’s charge, Mica Point, surprised me when keeping up with the field and finishing a fairly close second to Merhaba in the Bloodstock 2000.  This time I am certainly not going to suggest he won’t see out the Derby trip.  Bridget, ever cautious, says, “ He has a good draw, and has been working well.  Never been 2400m yet but seemed to cope with the 2000m last time.”
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A P Ikhaja, an impressive winner of a Maiden Juvenile Plate at Borrowdale Park on December 14, takes on her elders in the 1100m Merit Rated 65 Handicap at Borrowdale Park this Sunday.

The A P Answer filly, seen here with Apprentice Collen Storey up, will be ridden by Fanie Chambers. She is trained by Corne Spies who will send out eight of the 17 runners.

A P Ikhaja. with Apprentice Collen Storey aboard, on her way to the Borrowdale Park start

The Amy Bronkhorst trained Supa Dupa got up to beat Nugget Effect by the narrowest of margins in the 1600m Graduation Plate at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – with only 0.05 lengths separating the two horses at the line.

The four-year-old AP Arrow filly is now a three-time winner and Karl Zechner was in the irons. She was bred by Mr G.H. Rowles and is owned by John Koumides. Apple Tart and Princess Kate filled the remaining places

Trainer Gokhan Terzi won the second race on Sunday, a 1300m MR 55 Handicap, with the Announce gelding, Fighting Force. He won the previous race with the two-year-old Argonaut colt, Demagogue, who was having his first outing. Apprentice Wesley Marwing was aboard both winners.

Fighting Force (below) is owned by St John Gray and was bred by Mr R.G. Pienaar.