2019 Zimbabwe Derby Winner, Three To Tango, made every post a winning one at Borrowdale Park on Friday, and held off a late bid from Butchie Boy and Wantage to take the 1600m Zimbabwe Challenge.
Trained by Swanson Racing, and with Apprentice Rodgers Satombo in the irons, Three To Tango is owned by Mr C M & Mrs E B Shepherd, Mrs K M Bonthrone & Mr J Koumides. Congratulations to all the winning connections.
FARM YARD TRACTOR (left) MILFORD SOUND (right)
Tomcat Racing’s charge, Farm Yard Tractor, has had his share of close finishes but kept his nose in the right place on Friday and won the 1600m Maiden Plate. He is owned by Mr G Carter & Mrs P J Lewis, and Kevin Derere had the winning ride.
MILFORD SOUND, from the Gokhan Terzi stable, won the 1800m Novice Plate by a country mile at Borrowdale on Friday. Nikki Sibanda was aboard and the owners are Messrs B M McLauchlan, K P Fallon, G Goksel & R K White.
ZimFun shareholders will have their first runner at Borrowdale Park on Friday. Their horse, Tricky Business, is ready to romp in the 1600m Maiden Plate.
Borrowdale Park has, and has had, its fair share of successful racing syndicates. This is something different and could go a long way towards attracting new owners to our sport.
C John Smith has gone to great lengths to set up this racing club and, once he had attracted enough shareholders, quickly bought a horse online. And this is only the beginning…the aim is to sell more shares and buy more horses to race at Borrowdale.
Shareholders have come from far and wide. Some used to live here, others still do. The enthusiasm generated by those people who have never set foot on a racecourse is catching, and everyone is ready for some fun. Club members are kept informed via WhatsApp; some have already met “Tricky” and watched him work. What a pity that at present COVID restrictions limit spectators at race meetings but that too will pass.
Each share costs $100 and covers both the acquisition of horses, and training fees for a year. It’s quite simple really – the more shareholders, the more horses – and this is a very good deal, whether you are an old hand or new to the game.
“CJ” reports that Tricky is “a cool customer” so keep tabs on him while you are watching Borrowdale Park on the live stream on Friday. Those yellow silks will be hard to miss.
The feature race at Borrowdale Park on Friday is the 1600m Zimbabwe Challenge which has attracted some of our top performers.
Peggson’s nine wins include the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) in 2019, the 2019 Castle Tankard (Gr1) run over 2000m, and the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup (L) in 2020.
I always fancy Peggson’s chances, but on February 19th Yarraman narrowly beat Peggson over Friday’s trip at level weights. In the Zimbabwe Challenge Peggson will give at least 4 kgs to the rest of the field, including Yarraman, and that is a tough ask.
Although Gokhan Terzi’s charge enjoys a significant turnaround in weights with his rival now, he must also deal with his stable companion, Fareeq. In the Pro Bar Breeders Sprint on August 28 Fareeq, at level weights, finished a length clear of Yarraman over 1450m. Fareeq has won 4 races from 1260m to 1800m, so comes into the reckoning here.
Zimbabwe Derby winner Three to Tango is a versatile sort having won from 1200m to 2400m. In the past, Peggson and Yarraman have usually kept the upper hand, but the son of Grey’s Inn (USA) has more pull in the weights this time. That said Apprentice Satombo has the ride on Three To Tango and may not be able to make full use of his 4 kg allowance.
To add to the confusion, I need to add that when Holy Land won the 1600m Independence Trophy in June, Fareeq and Three To Tango, both receiving 1 kg, finished inches in front of Peggson. On paper they should walk this.
Three To Tango’s stable companion, What A Dandy, faces stiffer opposition here but won his last start over 1600m, beating Bugatti Blue. In addition to Peggson, Bridget Stidolph will saddle Wantage and Butchie Boy – both set to carry 54 kgs – but in this field they have work to do.
The more one delves into this race the harder it gets. I still think Peggson, Fareeq and Three to Tango will make the rest work hard for some money but, as usual, I am prepared to be surprised.
The first race on Friday is due off at 12.25, and the Zimbabwe Challenge at 15.55.
THE FIELD
1 (4) PEGGSON 62.0 (MR101) A Takawira – Bridget Stidolph
Final Fields for the Borrowdale Park race meeting this Friday, 30 October 2020, should be published today. The feature is the 1600m Zimbabwe Challenge and this should be a good one if most of the 10 horses nominated stand their ground.
It happens at the movies – and in story books – but not so often at a racecourse.
Cool Solution, an eight-year-old son of Mullins Bay (GB), lined up with nine other runners in the 1800m MR 65 Handicap at Borrowdale on Saturday – and won. This was his 60th start and seventh victory.
Well done Cool Solution, trainer Kirk Swanson, and owners Dr Ronald Mhizha, Messrs Z R Lusengo, S P Gorringe, D K Ward, D Swanson, G Carter, and Ms P J Lewis, and Mr P D and Mrs U A Gorringe. Apprentice Rodgers Satombo had the winning ride.
What an achievement. I am lost in admiration when owners and trainers persevere and have faith!
This was one of the best finishes that afternoon. The first four horses – Cool Solution, Hold The Biscuit, Crown Brewed, and Centre Stage – finished within less than half a length, and the whole field within 3.05 lengths.
True Beauty, owned by Ms S P Moyo and Mr G Tafeni, won the Jacaranda Free Handicap at Borrowdale Park today, holding off a challenge from stable companion Dindingwe.
The daughter of Skitt Skizzle, is trained by Kirk Swanson and his yard was having a good day, winning five of the seven races. Norbert Takawira was in the irons.
Preparations for tomorrow’s Borrowdale Park race meeting continue.
The feature race is the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap and the trees are in bloom. A bit of rain followed by some sunshine has put the finishing touches to the course – and the MTC was mowing on Thursday.
Unfortunately, most of the closed doors conditions still apply, but the race meeting will be covered by SandSportLive – and can be accessed via various Facebook pages, as usual.
It’s been quite a while since Noeleen Peech sent out a runner at Borrowdale Park, but she has rejoined the trainers’ ranks and it’s good to have her back.
On Saturday Noelene will be represented by Belle Epoque (ex-Swanson) in the 1260m MR 70 Handicap. Belle Epoque, by Seventh Rock (AUS) out of a Kitalpha (USA) mare, also returns after a long layoff. Her last outing was in July 2018, and she takes on Action Jackson, Fire To The Rein, Varnica, Titelist and Dunas Douradas.
This race is due off at 14.40. Belle Epoque won the 2017 Sable Flyers over 1260, so is distance suited.
The first two runners for the Amy Bronkhorst/Mike Mallet combo are new to Borrowdale.
First up are Count Alley and Veseo in the 1200m Maiden Plate at on Saturday. Daniel Frank rides Count Alley, a 3-year-old gelding by Flower Alley(USA) out of a Var (USA) mare. He had one run at Turffontein on September 3.
Powder Puff (the chestnut), with Kevin Derere in the irons, races in the Jacaranda Free Handicap, due off at 16 30. The first race on Saturday is at 12 55.
Mike is currently registered as stable employee. Here’s hoping its a good day for both of you.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 