Unlike a rolling stone the ZimFun Racing Club is gathering more shareholders and C. John Smith ( Cjohnsmith1@aol.com ) is aiming for many more…
Tricky Business, owned by ZimFun, is having his second start at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, after his close second on October 30. More shareholders leads to more ZimFun horses, and plans are afoot to get another one – soon.
At US$100 per share – which includes part ownership in all Zimfun horses, plus training fees for a year – there is no better deal around. What is particularly encouraging is that some Borrowdale “old-timers” who have moved on to greener pastures, are buying shares in ZimFun. I can’t think of a better way to have some fun – while keeping in touch with friends.
The first race at Borrowdale on Saturday is due off at 13 25. Tricky Business runs in the 1450m Maiden Plate at 15 10.
Joan Stangroom, long-time fan and supporter of Borrowdale Park and racing in general, passed peacefully in KZN on Friday November 20, and our thoughts are with her much loved family at this difficult time.
I don’t know if Joan ever had a share in a racehorse but she worked tirelessly in the interests of Borrowdale Park, and retained that keen interest even after moving down south.
It all began when Joan was a super secretary at Mashonaland Holdings in the time of TC Hardy and Mike Joughin, both actively involved in the affairs of MOTA and the MTC. Joan was soon press-ganged into becoming MOTA Secretary, and when she left Mashonaland Holdings, she worked full-time for MOTA from the TBA offices at the racecourse.
Jackie Cocksedge recalls, “In those days MOTA probably had a membership in excess of 1000, so a lot of admin and organisation was involved. Joan was very, very efficient, always smiling and she never lost her sense of humour.”
Joan, with her warm and outgoing personality, made many friends in racing over the years. She kept in touch during regular visits to Harare until health issues interfered – and she will be missed. She was a passionate, hands-on gardener, and used to beg me to “get rid of those awful things, they will just take over” – not realising I was thankful they were at least prolific.
If you are looking down from your cloud, Joan, you will be pleased the drought and a failing borehole have taken care of those things.
Champion Juvenile Stakes winner, Dindingwe, added another feature race to her tally when walking away with the Breeders Fillies Mile (L) at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.
Her stable companion, True Beauty, was second, followed by Mazikeen and Willfull Path.
By Futura out of a Jallad (USA) mare, Dindingwe is trained by Kirk Swanson and owned by Mr CM and Mrs CB Shepherd, and Mrs KM Bonthrone and B Linnell, Mr G Carter and Mrs PJ Lewis, CJ Danckwertz, SP Gorringe, GM Littleford, SH Murray, V Patel, PC Rugg and DK Ward. Apprentice Rodgers Satombo was in the irons.
Another apprentice, Walter Shumba, riding for Tomcat Racing, also scored on Saturday on Jubilee, in the 1000m Maiden Plate. Jubilee was having his first outing at Borrowdale.
Borrowdale Park was back in action on Saturday November 14, and once again Vee Racing was riding high.
Hennie Greyling, back riding in Harare after a break of several months, made a huge statement on Saturday, riding five winners on the seven-race card for Vee Racing.
The cherry on top came in the inaugural running of the 1800m National Foods Cup won by Yarraman. The six-year-old son Of Await The Dawn (USA) is owned by Gengiz Goksel, and this was his eighth success. Peggson, Mr Greenlight and Wantage filled the minor places.
Five will contest the Breeders Fillies Mile (L) at Borrowdale Park on Saturday but only one of the runners has previously raced further than 1200m.
However, that doesn’t mean much in this instance as all the contestants are bred to go further and some may relish more ground.
Seattle Swift, still a maiden and having her third start, finished 1.15 lengths off Farm Yard Tractor over 1600m at the last meeting. She is trained by Bridget Stidolph, as is WillfullPath. Jarryd Penny is on Seattle Swift, while Morgan Nyamagwete rides Willfull Path.
The Swanson yard fields True Beauty, winner of the 1200m Jacaranda Free Handicap, and Dindingwe.
True Beauty narrowly beat Champion Juvenile Stakes winner, Dindingwe, when they met in the Jacaranda Free, and that day Dindingwe had claiming apprentice Rodgers Satombo on board. She retains his services on Saturday and the other runners will carry 57 kgs. Norbert Takawira rides True Beauty.
Gokhan Terzi’s satellite yard, Vee Racing, has entered well-bred Mazikeen, who ran third in the Champion Juvenile and has beaten Willfull Path – although those tables turned later. Hennie Greyling rides Mazikeen.
This will be an interesting race, but one needs a reliable crystal ball to pick the winner.
Borrowdale gets off to a late start at 13 55 on Saturday and the second feature on the 7-race card is the 1800m National Foods Cup.
Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Seattle Swift with *Munashe Josi up.
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.
Racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare - Zimbabwe 