It is with bitter disappointment that Tomcat Racing has announced that True Beauty will not be back to defend her Tankard title. “We had a set back over this long weekend and under veterinary advice it was concluded that it was best not to run her. We aim to be back for the OK Grand Challenge.”
Fifteen horses have accepted to run in the 2023 Castle Tankard at Borrowdale Park on the 6th May.
Betting on Grand Warrior opened at evens 1-1. and last year’s Tankard winner, True Beauty, was 8-1. Down To Business was also 8-1, and Only Him 7-1.
Grand Warrior – three-year-old son of Global View (USA) – won the 2023 Independence Trophy at Borrowdale Park on Friday. Impressively!
He is trained by Debra Swanson, and Gabriell Pieterse was in the irons. The gelding has now won all his five starts. He is owned by the Centaur Syndicate and was bred by Ascot Stud Pty Ltd.
Only Him, Dindingwe and Mr Greenlight filled the minor places.
Congratulations everyone.
Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.
The 1600m Independence Trophy takes place at Borrowdale Park on Friday, 21 April 2023, and is due off at 15 25 pm.
This is something of an acid test for the three-year-old, Grand Warrior. The son of Global View is unbeaten but will have to dig deeper in order to succeed here. It is a strong field, with Holy Land possibly the main danger.
The first race on Friday is at 12 30.
Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.
There is racing at Borrowdale Park this Friday, 21st April 2023, with the possibility of two features, but final declarations will only be made today.
So, with Weights & Draws on hand, let’s guess what might be going on. The dominant three-year-old, Grand Warrior, has been nominated for both the 1600m Independence Trophy and the Zimbabwe 2000, the second leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown. Grand Warrior was a late scratching from the first leg, the Zimbabwe Guineas won by his stable companion Jacky Sparrow.
The Independence Trophy would be tougher for the unbeaten Grand Warrior, where he could meet most of Borrowdale’s best. Personally, I hope his connections decide to take this route – just how good is this son of Global View – but if I had a share in the colt, I might prefer the easier option.
The only problem is that all but one of the six three-year-olds nominated for the Zimbabwe 2000 are trained by Debra Swanson, so will the Bridget Stidolph-trained Etsa Moralo stand his ground? If not, there will not be a race.
If Grand Warrior takes part in the Zimbabwe 2000 he is likely to be the hottest of favourites, and he should account for Jacky Sparrow and Down To Business – and the rest of the field.
If he runs in the Independence Trophy, he will have some weight on his side – and he has won in open company. On the 14th of January, he beat Raining Again in a 1500m Progress Plate, which was his last start. However, it remains to be seen whether Grand Warrior can account for the likes of Holy Land, Wantage, Bugatti Blue etc etc – but it would be SO interesting.
The Mashonaland Turf Club is at it again… picking potatoes during the Easter break as the prices have risen slightly…and a further 13 hectares are planted.
Gary de Jong, always optimistic, says” If there are any owners or trainers who would like to assist with picking all the potatoes they would be welcome.”
Hoping you get some volunteers, Gary!
Alistair McNaughton (aka Ali or Mr Mac) passed away in Harare on Thursday after an illness bravely borne, and our thoughts are with his sons, Brendan and Marc, at this very sad time.
Ali trained at Borrowdale Park for many years and then became involved with other things – at the start – with the apprentices. – and so much more. Always kind, helpful and a true gentleman, he will be missed by all who knew him.
Ride high Ali.
Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.
Sad to say, the next Borrowdale Park race meeting has been cancelled.
The Mashonaland Turf Club has advised:
“The meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 5th of April, 2023, had 2 races folding on Monday at the Nominations stage and we reopened under the same conditions and all trainers were called upon for additional horses to allow each race to hold. Each trainer advised the racing centre that they did not have any further horses to add to the meeting.
We therefore have only one option in accordance with our local conditions which is in regard to Rule 3F – ABANDONMENT OF A RACE : The racing operator reserves the right to cancel any race meeting should 6 races not stand after reopening each race on the same conditions.
As a result, this race meeting did not hold and we have no option but to cancel the meeting for WEDNESDAY 05 APRIL 2023.
Wantage won the 2023 Breeders Champions Cup run over 2000m at Borrowdale Park on Friday, 24 March.
This is the second time the son of Ato has triumphed in this race – he also won in 2021.
The six-year-old was ridden by Wesley Marwing and is trained by Bridget Stidolph. The winning owners are Messrs RS Dyer, SN Buchan, N Evans, MK Chant, G de Jong, A Dixon, R Morgan, R Sherwood and Bryn Ressell. Wantage was bred by Newbury Racing & Breeding Ltd.
Congratulations everyone!
Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News
The first race at Borrowdale Park today, Friday 24th March 2023, is off at 12.30 pm and the main race, the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L), is at 15 25.
Entrance to the course is free.
Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News.
The 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) is the feature at Borrowdale Park on Friday (24th March 2023), and It would be difficult to find a more competitive field.
It includes last year’s winner, Lily Blue; the 2022 Castle Tankard winner True Beauty; Only Him, a close second to True Beauty in the Tankard; Bugatti Blue, the most recent winner of the 1900m Republic Cup, and Wantage, thereabouts often, and winner of the 2021 Breeders Champions Cup.
All are distance-suited and finished behind True Beauty in the 2022 Castle Tankard. However, a turnover in some of the weights must be considered, and Lily Blue, at her best, could be a danger.
And then there is Masaaken…
This five-year-old daughter of Teofilo (IRE) won 5 races from 2000m to 2850m in Gauteng and has had 6 starts at Borrowdale for 3 wins over 1700m, 2000m and 2700m. Masaaken ran third to Bugatti Blue in the 1900m Republic Cup in July – finishing 3 lengths back when receiving 5 kgs. Lily Blue, giving away 8 kgs, was just behind her, while Wantage and Only Him were further back. Lily Blue carries 57.5 to Masaaken’s 55.5 kgs here, so the relative newcomer looks well held, on paper, providing Lily Blue is in a racing mood.
I can’t help wondering if Masaaken is the one for Friday. She has won three of her last four starts, impressively, and although she was unplaced in the 1600m Fillies Stakes won by True Beauty in December, she undoubtedly prefers a longer trip.
Masaaken is trained by Debra Swanson, who will also saddle Bugatti Blue. In form Rodgers Satombo rides.
The 2023 Breeders Champions Cup is due off at 15.25 pm and the first race at 12.30.
Photographs by Jenny Stock and Laurent Viguie. ABOVE: Only Him, Bugatti Blue and Wantage. BELOW: True Beauty, Lily Blue and Masaaken.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 