Breeding: Mambo In Seattle (USA) – Only Emily by Captain Al
Colours: Cerise, navy blue chevron and sleeves, cerise cap
When the betting opened this week Only Him was at 3/1 and Finchatton 33/10 so, if one wants to split hairs, Only Him was favourite.
By Mambo In Seattle (USA), Bridget Stidolph’s charge has won four of his 9 Borrowdale starts from 1200m to 2400m, including the 2021 Zimbabwe Derby (Gr3), and when he hasn’t won Only Him has usually been in close contention. Before that he raced three times in Gauteng in the Alec Laird yard and won over 1400m.
For the big race on Saturday, May 7th, Only Him is drawn well and weight-wise will meet some of his former rivals on slightly better terms – but not all. For instance, his stablemate Wantage will be receiving 1.5 kgs and he has sometimes had the upper hand at level weights. Both are distance suited, so too the other runners from the Stidolph yard – Lily Blue and Citrusdal.
Only Him’s last start was on April 24 over 1200m – a trip he has never tried before, and he finished clear of recent arrival Love The View who would also have preferred further. It wasn’t much of a race and I didn’t expect either to shine, but class will out.
Come the day other factors will come into play such as race tactics, and a little bit of luck in the running. There is time for punters to reach for their calculators and compare weights with distances and so forth. I am simply going to say that Only Him must be a big runner.
Breeding: Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Rakara by Rakeen (USA)
Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap
Mr Greenlight won his first race in Zimbabwe in August 2020, a 1000m Graduation Plate, but prior to that had won two races at Greyville, over a mile. He won his next start for trainer Gokhan Terzi over 1600m and then three more from 1260m-1600m, for the same yard.
In 2021 Mr Greenlight ran second to Wantage in both the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) and the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) but ran disappointingly in the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr3) won by Finchatton. It must have been around this time that Vanessa Birketoft obtained her full trainer’s licence, and Mr Greenlight disappointed again in the 1800m National Foods Plate won by Holy Land.
When the Tankard betting opened Mr Greenlight was 20/1 and it is difficult to see him as a serious contender over the Tankard distance. He has won 7 races from 1000m to 1600m so appears to prefer a shorter trip.
However, his best performance over further was when second to Wantage in the 2021 Breeders Champions Cup on April 4, 2021. Mr Greenlight finished 3 lengths behind the winner to whom he was conceding 2 kgs – so I may be wrong.
Owner: Messrs G Goksel, G Carter, D T Machingaidze and Mesdames P J Lewis, C M de Jong, and S Ziehl
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein – Trainer: V Birketoft
Breeding: Ideal World (USA) – Lalibela by Silvano (GER)
Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap
Vanessa Birketoft fields three runners in the Castle Tankard and when the betting opened Holy Land was quoted at 5/1.
Originally trained by Dennis Drier, Holy Land campaigned extensively in KZN and Gauteng, and won a 1600 Maiden Plate at Greyville in September 2018. His next victory was at Borrowdale Park in June 2020 when trained by Thomas Mason, Holy Land won the 1600m Independence Trophy. After joining the Terzi yard, the son of Ideal World won two over 1500m and 1600m.
Holy Land, now trained by Vanesa Birketoft, won his next three starts in October and November 2021, and these included the 1800m National Foods Plate and the 1450m Zimbabwe Challenge. Kabelo Matsunyane, was riding. In the National Foods Plate 2022 Tankard hopefuls Wantage, Finchatton, Mr Greenlight and Three To Tango were further back.
In his last three starts, Holy Land was a length behind Dindingwe in a Pinnacle Plate 100, conceding 3 kgs to the winner and beating Wantage, Armstrong, Heir Line and Three To Tango; he was a close second to Finchatton in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes, at level weights, and finally, fifth in the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 13 when he carried top weight in yielding going.
Holy Land is undoubtedly a horse with ability. I have slight doubts about the Tankard distance but for the progeny of Ideal World (USA) this should not be a concern.
Owner: Ms Robyn Macleod & Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate (Nom: Miss K Stidolph) – Breeder:Mr G J Armitage – Trainer: Bridget Stidolph
Breeding: Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Mammy Blue (ZIM) by Kitalpha (USA)
Colours: Pink, pink sleeves, turquoise armbands and cap
Half the crowd at Borrowdale Park could well be screaming for Lily Blue on Castle Tankard Day – and if she is in with a shout turning into the home straight, I will be screaming with them.
However, it is a tough ask. Joint top weight with Finchatton and not the best of draws., but if Lily Blue and jockey Jarryd Penny prove me wrong, I will be delighted. This gallant mare has won 12 races and was quoted at 4/1 when betting opened.
Lily Blue won the Champion Juvenile Stakes, and as a three-year-old was formidable, winning 7 races in succession including the Breeders Fillies Mile (L), and the ZNA Charity Champion Fillies Stakes before collecting the Triple Tiara (Fillies Classic, the Silver Slipper and the Zimbabwe Oaks) and two legs of the Zimbabwe Triple Crown (the Zimbabwe Guineas and the Zimbabwe Derby). When it comes to the 2000m Castle Tankard this girl is distance suited.
She campaigned in Gauteng winning two races for fillies and mares over 1800m before returning to Zimbabwe to contest the Champion Fillies Stakes in November 2021. This 1600m event was won by Seven Seas and Lily Blue was two lengths back, conceding 6 kgs to the winner. Her next outing was on March 20 when she won the 2000m Breeders Champion Cup (L) and Heir Line, Bugatti Blue, Finchatton and Wantage were behind her.
Lily Blue’s last start was in the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 13 where she finished a disappointing 9 lengths back and all of Bugatti Blue, True Beauty, Finchatton, Holy Land and Mr Greenlight did better, but I am prepared to draw a line through that. The going was yielding then and if Lily Blue wasn’t ready for the Tankard her connections wouldn’t dream of running her.
Owner: Mr G Goksel – Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift -Trainer: Gokhan Terzi
Breeding: Right Approach (GB) – Rose Lipped Maiden by Fort Wood (USA)
Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap
Finchatton will carry 60 kgs in the 2000m Castle Tankard (Gr1) to be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, May 7. Diego de Gouveia will be in the irons, and he has teamed up successfully with Finchatton before.
Finchatton’s six victories from 1400m to 2000m include the 2021 OK Grand Challenge (Gr2) over 1800m, and the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) in February. In the 2021 Tankard, which is over 2000m, Finchatton ran fourth to Dindingwe who was receiving 3.5 kgs, but he won over the distance at the Vaal in January 2020 – and De Gouveia was riding that day.
On March 3 Finchatton finished 11.25 lengths off Lily Blue in the 200Om Breeders Champions Cup, in soft going while conceding 4.5 kgs to the winner. Heir Line and Bugatti Blue were ahead of Finchatton, while Wantage was close behind him – all receiving weight from Gokhan Terzi’s charge.
In his last outing Finchatton was fourth in the 1600m Independence Trophy won by What A Dandy. Bugatti Blue and True Beauty were placed second and third, with weight on their side, and Holy Land, Mr Greenlight and Lily Blue were further back. The going was yielding.
Finchatton is a worthy contender and was 33/10 when the 2022 Tankard betting opened on Monday. Lily Blue, who will also carry 60 kgs, was at 4/1. This is beginning to look like a pretty open race, and good going would be helpful.
The Castle Tankard – Zimbabwe’s biggest and best racing event inaugurated in 1960 – returns to Borrowdale Park on Saturday, May 7, andFinal Acceptorswere announcedat a function today.
When the stakes are high more people than usual think about having a flutter, and ‘Nick In Newmarket’, writing in an International Racing Club newsletter, recently gave good advice for first-time punters:
“There are no hard and fast rules for betting on racing. Everyone’s got their own system. Some take hours studying form and analysing times. Others follow stable form, wait for horses to start running well and then strike while the iron is hot. Your casual racegoer often goes on names, recognised jockeys, and the fashionistas seem to pick on the design of the silks. Each to their own.
“But if I was to offer advice to anyone new to the game it would be this. Don’t believe everything you hear. Find a few trusted sources and stick to those. If you believed every person attached to a yard, you’d be heading for the poor house very quickly.
“There are exceptions to this. For example, when something is absolutely scorching up the Al Bahathri usually in the John Gosden or William Haggas string, and there are plenty of witnesses who can back up the version of events. But on the whole, I’ve learnt very quickly that most of the time there’s no such thing as a certainty.
“I failed to heed my own advice yesterday when I received a text message, totally out of the blue with three horses. All at Doncaster. Given the random nature of the text I opted to lay out a small amount of my SkyBet account to test the waters and see how this source went. A small investment on a treble for the afternoon.
“Bang. The first one went in. Bang. The second one got home. By a nose. But the number was in the frame. Suddenly the cash out became appealing but what the hell. Let it ride. A small outlay for a 14/1 return seemed appealing. And besides, the random nature of the text message suggested that someone knew something.
“It came down to the final leg. A two-mile contest at Doncaster in the spring sunshine. The field set off and in the early part things were looking OK. The tipped horse smuggled into the race having opted to bide its time near the rear. And then came the moment that the realisation hit. Never listen to unsolicited advice.
“The horse foundered four furlongs from home and hit a massive flat spot. That’s it. The fun was over. But then as the front runners grew weary after the stamina sapping contest, suddenly the tip was bearing down on them, the leader crying for the line. The fancy making ground but leaving it late. The line came. Too late! Second. The losing margin was a head. Almost.
“Enough to suggest that perhaps I give the source one more try.”
Borrowdale Park is a far cry from Newmarket in England where residents are constantly exposed to all that is happening in their racing world. However, in our small way, we do have tipsters and those who believe in racing certainties, so I will only add…
Take a bet when you get the urge but NEVER put on more than you can afford to lose. Racing is supposed to be fun so let’s keep it that way – and carry on smiling.
Photograph by Andrew Philip. FLASHBACK TO 2018 when 66/1 shot Roman Discent (Thackeray) won the Castle Tankard, beating Simona (SP 20/1) by a whisker, and then came Kilrain (13/10) and Mathematician (18/1). The winning owners were beside themselves with glee but some, in saner moments, admitted to being slightly surprised. Actually, it was a great day and a fantastic race – regardless.
Catch up with the 2022 Castle Tankard Acceptors and Opening Betting on this site on:
The first race at Borrowdale Park tomorrow (Sunday, April 24) is off at 12 25 and the feature, the Zimbabwe Derby, third leg of the Triple Crown, is at 15 54.
The meeting can be viewed on DSTV Channel 240 – and the Borrowdale Park Livestream will be on Clocking The Gallop on UTube.
Tips, Final Fields, Online Card, Card Changes appear on this site.
Photograph by Gavin Macleod: The 2020 Zimbabwe Derby was won by Lily Blue -Morgan Nyamagwete was riding and was trained by Bridget Stidolph. Then came Wantage, Zambezi Rapids and Seattle Frost.
The Zimbabwe Derby (Gr3) run over 2400m is the ultimate stamina test for our three-year-olds and, if the unseasonal weather we have experienced during the last two days continues, it will definitely be that.
None of the runners have raced beyond 2000m but in most cases the breeding is there, and Regulate, Cutback and Tigers Eagle will each have supporters.
Hopefully, the sun will return soon so that by Sunday all the runners can put their best hooves forward.
The acceptors for the Zimbabwe Derby are listed below.
No Apprentice Allowance
1 (4) REGULATE (3G) 58.0 (MR75)(Ato – Dictate by Silvano (GER)) – T Gould – Bridget Stidolph. Ran second to Call The Wind in the Zimbabwe Guineas and to Cutback in the Zimbabwe 2000. Placed in four of his five starts and a winner over 1100m. Interesting runner.
2 (1) MASTER MING (3C) 58.0 (MR48) (Toreador (IRE) – Madame Ming by Overlord (AUS)) – K Derere – Thomas Mason. A winner of his first start over 1000m in February and the front runner in the Zimbabwe 2000 but ran out of steam. Best performance around the turn was in the 1600m Tote Free in December when 9 lengths off Tigers Eagle.
3 (5) CUTBACK (3F) 54.5 (MR73)(Twice Over (GB) – Suedette by Dynasty) – D Schwarz – Thomas Mason. Winner of the 1600m Guineas Trial and the Zimbabwe 2000 (Gr3). Has form.
4 (2) TIGERS EAGLE (3F) 54.5 (MR67)(Flying The Flag (IRE) – Neck Of The Woods by Al Mufti (USA)) – R Satombo – Debra Swanson. Winner of the 1600m Tote Free Handicap beating stablemate Days Gone By by two lengths. Well placed in the Silver Slipper and the Zimbabwe 2000 and certainly one to consider here.
5 (6) MIDFIELD GIRL (3F) 54.5 (MR62)(Alado (GB) – Midfield Scortcher by Sportsworld (USA)) – J Penny -Bridget Stidolph. Won 1900m Maiden Plate on 3 April. This will be her third race in Zimbabwe, and she was well beaten by Call The Wind and Tigers Eagle in the 1800m Silver Slipper (L) on March 20. The going was soft that day. A bit of a mystery.
6 (3) DAYS GONE BY (3F) 54.5 (MR55)(Byword (GB) – Rememberance by Fort Wood (USA) * W Shumba -Debra Swanson. Shed maiden certificate over 1800m in December. Has been held by Cutback and Tigers Eagle before but I continue to expect Days Gone By to do better.
What A Dandy won the 2022 Independence trophy at Borrowdale Park on Wednesday. Very well done trainer Debra Swanson, jockey Rodgers Satombo, owner John Koumides, and everyone else involved.
Debra Swanson saddled the first two past the post in the 2022 Independence Trophy at Borrowdale Park run over 1600m this afternoon. What A Dandy (Satombo) played catch me if you can and they could not. Bugatti Blue was second and then came True Beauty and Finchatton.
What A Dandy by Just As Well (USA), is owned by John Koumides and bred by Barton Hall Stud. He is now a 14-time winner.
Unfortunately, the start was delayed considerably and Yarraman was withdrawn by the starter. I will wait for the Stipendiary Board Report about that.
By now everyone should know there is racing at Borrowdale Park today (Wednesday), and the first race is off at 12 20.
The feature is the 2022 Independence Trophy scheduled for 15 48 – and if you can’t make it to the course the races will be on DSTV Channel 240. If the Live Stream is available on ClockingTheGallop (U-Tube) I will post a link on this site. Tips, Card Changes etc will be posted as usual.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 