Citrusdal and Emerald Floe fought out the finish of the 1100m Hachiman Sprint at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, with Citrusdal gaining the upper hand by a quarter of a length.

Varnica and Mind Master also finished in the money.

This was the Duke Of Marmalade gelding’s sixth victory, but most of his successes have been achieved over more ground.  Keanen Steyn was in the irons, and Citrusdal is trained by Bridget Stidolph, and was bred by Drakenstein Stud.  The five-year-old is owned by Messrs R S Dyer, S N Buchan, N Evans, M K Chant, G de Jong, A Dixon, R Morgan, R Sherwood & Bryn Ressell.

Congratulations everyone.

Earlier in the afternoon the Stidolph yard also scored with Peacable (Steyn), Wantage (Penny) and Ultra Edge (Penny).  So, despite the heavy going, it was quite a good day at the office.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

The first race at Borrowdale Park today (January 9) is off at  12 15. There has been a significant amount of rain but no official report as yet.

The meeting can be viewed on TellyTrack DSTV Channel 249 – and the Livestream will be on Clocking The Gallop on UTube.

The direct link to the online race card is https://mcusercontent.com/2a1c7dfa1eb4e4b185607f5a6/files/ac8fc02a-f62f-d1dc-e7ec-8f90b0735cdc/MTC_race_card_9_January_2022.pdf

There are 8 races on the card and the Hachiman Sprint is at 16.05.

It is interesting to see who is not in it.

In 2020 this race was won by Christofle, then came Silver Coin, What A Dandy and Verdier. The following year What A Dandy won, then came Gladstone, Golden Lion and Verdier – and, guess what, only Gladstone will contest the Hachiman Sprint at Borrowdale Park this Sunday.

Of the eight acceptors, I am surprised Three To Tango and Citrusdal are even in there having built their reputations over further than 1100m. But then I am not adventurous, although always prepared to be proved wrong.

In fact, Citrusdal did well over 1100m on May 16 when second to Widjaan when conceding 3.5 kgs.

So, can Gladstone go one better this year? In 2021 the son of Pathfork (USA) carried 60.5 kgs and he is an 1100m specialist, although lacking scintillating form recently. On Sunday he is set to carry 57.5 kgs and will give weight in varying degrees to Jubilee, Seven Seas, Varnica, stablemate Mind Master, and Emerald Floe.

I could strain my brain and make a case for most of these runners, but for no good reason Seven Seas (de Gouveia) and Emerald Floe (Penny) appeal, while Varnica, will have claiming apprentice *Shumba on board.

There are 8 races on Sunday’s card and the Hachiman Sprint is due off at 16.05. The meeting begins with an 1100m Maiden Plate at 12.15.

Photographs by Jenny Stock of Zimbabwe Equine News.

To quote commentator Adrian Nydam, last season’s top-three-year-old, Dindingwe, “destroyed them”, and won the Pioneers & Heroes Tankard at Borrowdale Park today, with lengths to spare.

Wantage came second, then Finchatton and Yarraman.

Trained by Debra Swanson and bred by Ndoro Stud, Dindingwe was ridden by Rodgers Satombo. The Futura filly is owned by Mr CM and Mrs EB Shepherd and Mr CG and Mrs KM Bonthrone, CJ Danckwerts, GM Littleford, SH Murray, PC Rugg, PD Gorringe, SP Gorringe, V Patel, DK Ward and G Carter.

Heartiest congratulations everyone

Photograph by Laurent Viguie.

The first race at Borrowdale Park today (December 19) is off at 12 30 and the Pioneers & Heroes Tankard, the last race on the card, at 15 55.

The meeting can be viewed on TellyTrack DSTV Channel 249 – and the Livestream will be on Clocking The Gallop on UTube.

The direct link to the online race card is https://mcusercontent.com/2a1c7dfa1eb4e4b185607f5a6/files/54ca6d69-d3cd-2d64-2d03-641990c244b9/19_December_2021_RACECARD.pdf

The “Tankard” has always been an integral part of Borrowdale Park but in 2020 the prestigious event fell victim to COVID regulations. This year it’s party time again.

We have the US$4000 Pioneers And Heroes Tankard on Sunday and can look forward to another thrilling race over 2000m.

Peggson, who won this race in 2019, steps out to defend his Tankard title, against the concerted efforts of What A Dandy, Finchatton, Yarraman, Wantage, Dindingwe, At The Office and Wild Heritage. The former Tankard winner will carry top weight of 60 kgs, and all going well should just be able to hold off former rivals Finchatton (winner of the 2021 Ok Grand Challenge), Yarraman and Wantage.

I always hope What A Dandy will shine but fear that this time the trip may be a little too far. If there is significant rainfall before Sunday, then the lighter weights could come to the fore. Wild Heritage is distance suited, as is At The Office who can, as they say, stay all day.

Most of you will have watched many Tankards and will know it is difficult to pick the winner. I’m hoping Peggson can do it again. Time will tell.

The first race on Sunday’s 7-race card is due off at 12.30, and the Pioneers & Heroes Tankard will take place at 15.55.

FLASHBACK TO JUNE 2011…
…when Grisham won the Castle Tankard…do you feel you have been missing out on something?

The minor feature at Borrowdale Park on Sunday is the 1600m Tote Free Handicap where apprentice allowances may be claimed.

Five lightly raced three-year-olds have accepted and Tigers Eagle, Days Gone By and Cutback seem the pick.  The race is due off at 13.40 and the stake is US$2000.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News

1 Drawn 2 TIGERS EAGLE 60 kgs (MR63) Satombo – Debra Swanson …3-year-old filly by Flying The Flag (IRE) – Neck Of The Woods by Al Mufti (USA)

Winner of 1700m Maiden Plate from 3 starts, and third in 1800m Novice Plate. Has beaten Cutback and is a likely favourite.  

2 Drawn 3 CUTBACK 59.5kgs (MR62) *Shumba (4.0) – Thomas Mason …3-year-old filly by Twice Over (GB) – Suedette by Dynasty

Placed in all four starts from 1000m to 1700m and deserves respect.

3 Drawn 4 MASTER MING 57.5kgs (MR58) Derere – Thomas Mason …3-year-old colt by Toreador (IRE) – Madame Ming by Overlord (AUS)

Won his first start over 1000m but disappointing over more ground – so far.

4 Drawn 5 DAYS GONE BY 57kgs (MR57) Takawira – Debra Swanson …3-year-old filly by Byword (GB) – Rememberance by Fort Wood (USA)

Relished the extra distance when winning 1800m Maiden Plate on December 4. Well held by some of the other runners over shorter but this is a different ball game.

 5 Drawn1 LADY SANZA 57kgs (MR57) *Josi (4.0) – Gokhan Terzi   …3-year-old filly by Rafeef (AUS) – Supreme Dynasty by Dynasty

Very impressive winner of her only start – a 1000m Maiden Plate for three-year-olds on October 10. A dark horse and your guesses are as good as mine.

Apprentice Munashe Josi picked up the ride on Differentiate in the 1500m MR 60 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Saturday and won in a close and exciting finish with the fancied Delina.

*Josi was riding for Gokhan Terzi and he also piloted Aneksi into third place earlier in the afternoon. Unfortunately, *Josi has had a limited number of race riding opportunities so far – but that’s the way the cookie crumbles – so it was good to see him come right here.

Differentiate, a five-year-old mare by Eightfold Path (USA), is owned by the Brumby Syndicate (nominee Grant Littleford), and she was bred by Scott Bros.

Congratulations!

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

Training honours at Borrowdale Park on Saturday went to V Racing. The yard sent out three winners – Hawi (*Shumba), Kursk (Derere) and Shesalegend (Gould).

First up, in the 1100m Maiden Plate, was Hawi, who is owned by Richard Moor and Gengis Goksel. The Vercingetorix gelding was bred by Mr and Mrs J R Slade.

He was followed by Kursk who scored for Gengis Goksel in the 1260m MR 75 Handicap. By So You Think (NZ), Kursk has now won three.

Last and certainly not least, was Shesalegend. In a thrilling finish to the 1700m Classified Stakes the Mogok (USA) filly denied her stable companion, Mazikeen, victory, by a narrow margin. Shesalegend is owned by Messrs S H Murray, G M Littleford, A P Nydam, P C Rugg and Miss V Birketoft.

Congratulations everyone.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Hawi – with Apprentice Walter Shumba in the irons.

Jardin from the Amy Bronkhorst yard, with Teague Gould in the irons, won the 1100m Progress Plate for the ZimFun Racing Club (Pty) Ltd (nominee C J Smith).

This was the ZimFunners’ second winner since its formation and the Club continues to gain momentum and enthusiastic support. Shares are still available so it’s not too late to join in the fun.

Borrowdale Park needs more horses – and more owners!

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

Heir Line came to the fore again in the 1800m Merit Rated 75 Handicap on Saturday and has now won 7 races.

The Dynasty gelding was ridden by Rodgers Satombo, is trained by Debra Swanson and owned by Messrs P D Gorringe, S P Gorringe, V Patel, D K Ward & G Carter, G M Littleford, S H Murray & P C Rugg.

Heir Line won by 2.50 lengths, carrying 60 kgs. Very well done.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News