The focus is on Zimbabwe’s Air Force at Borrowdale Park on Saturday and the main race, the AFZ Charity Handicap over 1800m, is due off at 16.10.

Of the five runners lining up for this event Heir Line and Fareeq are likely to be the main players but be prepared to be surprised!

HEIR LINE
1 Drawn 5 60.0 (MR 83) N Takawira Kirk Swanson

Six-y-old gelding by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare. Won the 1900m Republic Cup in 2018 and has altogether won five times from 1600m to 2000m. Can carry weight and is versatile having been placed in his two previous starts over 1450m and 2700m. Giving weight to the field on Saturday but a big runner.

FAREEQ (AUS)
2 Drawn 3 59.0 (MR 81) J Sampson Gokhan Terzi

This 7-year-old gelding by Nadeem (AUS) won five races down south from 1400m to 1600m but has yet to enter the Number 1 box at Borrowdale after five starts. However far from disgraced having been placed in the
Independence Trophy, the OK Grand Challenge, and the Republic Cup. His last outing was in the 1600m Paul Gorringe Testimonial where he was three-parts of a length behind Saturday’s runner Wolves Among Sheep who was receiving 3 kgs. He gives Wolves Among Sheep 4 kgs now.

ARTE
3 Drawn 2 58.0 (MR 79) Wes Marwing Kirk Swanson

True to her breeding Arte, a 6-year-old mare by Ideal World (USA) out of a Fort Wood (USA) mare, won 7 races in South Africa from 2200m to 3200m. Placed second from three starts at Borrowdale. In the 1900m Republic Cup Arte was 1.25 lengths behind Tandava and before that went down to Rawedge by a whisker over 2700m. Saturday’s trip is probably on the short side but Arte’s a game girl.

WOLVES AMONG SHEEP
4 Drawn 4 56.0 (MR 75) J Penny Bridget Stidolph

By Philanthropist (USA) out of a Western Winter mare, this five-year-old gelding has won four races from
1600m to 1800m so is distance suited. He won over 1600m at the last meeting finishing in front of Fareeq and Yarraman. The last mentioned met Wolves Among Sheep at level weights in the Paul Gorringe Testimonial but is better off here.

YARRAMAN
5 Drawn1 54.5 (MR 72) B McNaughton Gokhan Terzi

It will be interesting to see how Yarraman fares with weight on his side. The five-year-old son of Await The Dawn (USA) has won three from 1600m to 1900m but steps up in class now.

Thanks to Gavin Macleod, Jenny Stocks and Andrew Philip for the photographs.

Those new to racing in Zimbabwe may be puzzled when reference is made to the Spey Bridge Awards, and Jackie Cocksedge was the obvious choice to supply some of the finer details.

Jackie joined the Rhodesia Bloodstock Agency in 1976 and says, “I was very privileged to have Peter Lovemore and Robin Bruss as my mentors. The Thoroughbred Breeders Association took over the RBA after Peter and Robin left to take up job offers outside our borders. I ran the TBA thereafter, with a few gap years off to run a small stud.

“As far as the Spey Bridge Awards go, I think I was probably a panellist for about three- quarters of its existence and chaired it, I think, 5 or 6 times.
“Inspired by the American Eclipse Awards and the UK equivalent now sponsored by Cartier, the custodians of the fledgeling Zimbabwe Racing Museum was motivated to establish our very own Zimbabwe racing “Oscars” in 1986.

“Peter Lovemore proposed the awards be named after Spey Bridge, a magnificent racehorse bred by the doyenne of breeding Mrs Ella Lockie at her farm, Ellerslie, in the Bromley district of Rhodesia. Spey Bridge was born in 1950 but campaigned in South Africa winning a multitude of top-class races including the prestigious Durban July Handicap in 1956. The only Zimbabwean racehorse to achieve this until Ipi Tombe in 2002.

“Suitable floating trophies were commissioned and each was hand-carved individually in Africa stone by Alex Million at the Canon Paterson Craft centre in Mbare. The statues are extremely heavy and irreplaceable so are used for display purposes only.

“Spey Bridge Categories are Champion 2-Year-Old, Champion 3-Year-Old Female, Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Champion Sprinter, Champion Older Horse and, the highest honour, Horse Of The Year. Human endeavor is recognised and awarded the Personality Of The Year. Provision is also made to award Special Awards if merited. Generally, each category is awarded annually, but the panel is reminded that if a category is not deserving of a title, then a vote of no award is recorded.

“The selection panel sits close to the end of the annual racing season, which in the Southern Hemisphere is 31st July. The panel consists of a chairperson who does not join the debate but has the casting vote in the event of a deadlock.
“Panelists comprise the Handicapper, the Senior Stipendiary Steward, the Racing Commentator, Racing press or media correspondents, representatives of the Jockeys Association, the Owners & Trainers Association and Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and a Mashonaland Turf Club Steward. “Each panelist submits their recommendation for each category. Sometimes no debate is necessary as a horse may be an automatic recipient, but sometimes debate is varied and often a hung jury occurs. Sometimes the panel may regard a category as weak in a particular season and no award is given.

“The inaugural panel sat in 1986, chaired by Peter Lovemore. The gold standard was set with the colt, Solar Blaze, and the filly, Swingfire, garnering Champion Two-Year-Old. In subsequent years the panel found it impossible to nominate one of each sex, and the award morphed into one individual.
“Ella’s Oracle garnered the 3-year-old filly title, and Match Winner the award for top 3-year-old colt. Tudor Sun won the Sprinter title which he held on to for three successive years. Catador was Champion Older Horse and Match Winner became the first Horse Of The Year. Geoff Armitage was voted Personality Of The Year.

“The panel is sworn to secrecy not to reveal the results until the racing awards presentations take place at a black-tie dinner/dance at an upmarket venue, usually around mid-September annually.

“Generally, the panel gets it right, and the racing and breeding industry applaud the recipients, but not in 1998. A right royal rumpus ensued when the panel voted for Ruby Clipper (NZ) as champion 2-year-old.

“The problem was the filly only campaigned once in Zimbabwe, going down by half-a-length to Blushing Becky in a Maiden Juvenile Fillies Plate. She then won her next start at Turffontein by 3 lengths, followed up with solid performances in the Debutante Stakes and Strelitzia Stakes and rounded off her 2-year-old career with a 4-length victory in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. An impressive campaign, but not in Zimbabwe.
“The panel did not make that mistake again, even when Ipi Tombe did us so proud – she just got a Special Award for her efforts.

“The roster of Spey Bridge recipients over the years tells a tale of Zimbabwe champions who have captured the imagination of the public and thrilled racing fans with their achievements on the turf.

“We salute them.”

Thank you, Jackie, for the info and photograph…new to racing or not it is good to be reminded of the significance of familiar things.

Kirk Swanson’s star, In The Mood, with Norbert Takawira in the irons, showed her class at Borrowdale Park this afternoon when winning the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR) for the second time.

The five-year-old daughter of Bold Silvano has now won 9 races and placed 10 times in 21 starts. Perhaps racing up the straight isn’t her best game now but you wouldn’t have thought so once she drew level with stable companion Dunas Douradas and then went clear. Western Shamrock was third.

Owned by John Koumides, In The Mood was bred by Summerhill Stud. Congratulations to all the winning connections.

Well done Norbert.

Once again, the 1260m Sable Flyers (LR), which is restricted to fillies and mares, has attracted a small field. However, there may be more to Saturday’s Borrowdale Park feature than first meets the eye.

The five-year-old Bold Silvano mare, IN THE MOOD, is the class horse in this four-horse field and has won seven races, mostly from 1600m to 1800m.

This time Kirk Swanson’s charge carries 60 kgs and initially I felt she would need further…until I remembered In The Mood won the 2018 Sable Flyers. That was also a four-horse race and she beat Elegant Beauty, who was giving away 6 kgs, by 5.50 lengths. On Saturday Norbert Takawira has the ride.

Although In The Mood carries top weight here I expect her to put up a good fight but, maybe, she might have more to do than I initially thought.

SOME SONG from Gokhan Terzi’s yard will receive 7 kgs from In The Mood and at the last race meeting she won her only start at Borrowdale over 1000m. The daughter of Oratorio (IRE), also a five-year-old, won a 1200m Maiden at the Vaal in March 2018.

My first reaction was that Some Song, with Brendon McNaughton up, was hard to assess but then it became interesting.

When Some Song won at Borrowdale, she was receiving I kg from stable mate WESTERN SHAMROCK who went down by 0.05 lengths. On Saturday there is a slight turnaround in weights.

To date Western Shamrock has only won a 1000m Maiden Plate (F) at the Vaal in February 2018, but one needs to look further. This four-year-old by Philanthropist (USA) ran third behind What A Dandy and Christofle in a 1260m MR 70 Handicap on July 27, receiving 6.5 kgs, and only three-parts of a length off the winner.

That day Cool Solution, It’s A True Story, Lady Carina and Flanders finished behind her and a repeat performance could bring Western Shamrock into the reckoning. Hennie Greyling rides.

But there’s more…

The Swanson stable also sends out DUNAS DOURADAS, a five-year-old Byword (GB) mare, and winner of 3 races from 1200m – 1800m.

Like Western Shamrock, Dunas Douradas is set to carry 52 kgs but Wes Marwing is likely to put up an extra 1.5. She is a consistent sort and certainly worthy of consideration.

There are seven races on Saturday’s card and the first is due off at 12.35 pm. The ZRP Charity Sable Flyers is scheduled for 16.15.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News and Gavin MacLeod

The new kid on the Borrowdale Park block, Thomas Mason of Tomcat Racing, saddled three winners at the Sunshine Cup meeting on Saturday. Quite an achievement with such a small string in an 8-race card.

Of course, the cherry on top came when Rawedge held off Arte in a thrilling finish to the 2700m Sunshine Cup – winning margin 0.05 lengths – with top weight Heir Line only a length behind.

Giving credit where due Thomas says Apprentice Ashton Arries rode a clever race.

“Rawedge jumped out and stayed at the back until the start of the back straight when Ashton realised the pace was slowing down. He let Rawedge cruise up and take over the running at the 1800m mark. He set an even pace, taking advantage of the light weight. Just before the turn he kicked for home, catching the others off guard and they had to make up ground while carrying more weight.”

Before the race there was some speculation about who would set the pace and the Kirk Swanson trained Heir Line (Hennie Greyling) went to the front and stayed in touch all the way despite carrying 60 kgs. His stable companion, Arte (Wes Marwing), came from a long way back to engage in a fight for the finish with Rawedge. Both Heir Line and Arte were gallant in defeat and did well for their stable. Arte, a six-year-old mare by Ideal World (USA) gave the winner 6.5 kgs.

By Ravishing out of a Jallad (USA) mare, Rawedge is an eight-year-old gelding, and this was his ninth victory. He was bred by Dr G. Batz and Mr C. Batz, and is owned by Joseph Muya, Anna Mason and Bridget Parham Field. Mr Mr Muya and Mrs Mason are based in Kenya, and Mrs Parham-Field is out of Zimbabwe at present, so they missed out on the on-course excitement.

Congratulations to the winning connections. Your horse did you proud.

Earlier in the afternoon Tomcat Racing scored with Crown Brewed (Serino Moodley) in a 1200m MR 50 Handicap, and Battle Cry (Arries) was involved in a tight finish with Prairie Sky in a 1700m MR 55 Handicap.

Both the Gokhan Terzi and Swanson yards had two winners apiece – and not content with winning Kirk Swanson’s runners filled most of the minor places behind his winners. Bridget Stidolph scored with Enter The Dragon (Jarred Lee Samuel) in the 1200m Maiden Plate with Thomas Mason’s charge, Farm Yard Tractor (Arries), three-parts of a length behind.

Despite the unexpectedly cold weather this was an afternoon of enjoyable racing and a great beginning to Borrowdale’s 2019/20 season.

Photographs by Andrew Philip

All seems set for a great day at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. It is the first meeting of the 2019/20 racing season – the inaugural running of the 2700m Sunshine Cup – plus some partying with the Parlotones, but more about that later.

The first race is off at 12.25pm and the main event, last race of the day, and worth RTGS$ 30 000, is at 16 30.  The six runners in the Sunshine Cup will enter the stalls near the stands – so an opportunity to watch the start up close and comfortable.

There are eight races on the card and finding winners after the annual racing break requires some thought, plenty of guesswork, and a little bit of luck.  The course was scarified during the break and the Mashonaland Turf Club have been watering the turf as much as possible under existing circumstances.  Hopefully, the going will be good, but it wouldn’t hurt to arrange a rain dance.

There are two outright stayers in the 2700m event – Arte and Rawedge – and I will be disappointed if they are not involved in the finish.  Kirk Swanson trains Arte, and Heir Line, while Thomas Mason will saddle Rawedge. 

Former Castle Tankard winner, Roman Discent, and Leven Point, represent Bridget Stidolph’s yard. Gokhan Terzi and Assistant Trainer Vanessa Birketoft will be looking for an upbeat performance from Master ’n Commander….and the question is who sets the pace for a true run race?

I will not even attempt to answer that. And, I have to say … the smaller the field the bigger the upset…but I’m joking, of course.

There are other thought-provoking contests on Saturday’s card where several runners appear to be evenly matched. The Borrowdale tipsters may struggle a bit later in the week.

For all the details about Saturday’s entertainment and tickets visit  https://www.facebook.com/HiddenCulture/ or http://hiddenculture.paynow.co.zw/event-registration/ today.

This fun festival begins on Saturday from 11 am.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

Zimbabwe Apprentice Rodgers Satombo and Haga Haga team up for the first time in the fifth race, a 1600m MR 75 Handicap, at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.

It is a tough field, but a mile is Haga Haga’s game, and his rider claims 4 kgs. 

Satombo has been involved in some close finishes, so, maybe this time!

The Mashonaland Turf Club has agreed that the official racecards may be posted online – starting with the September 7 race meeting.

The more shares the better as this should lead to more punters betting on Borrowdale Park.

A sample of the racecard can be found on this site (see menu). The September 7 card will be published later this week.

Eight horses have been nominated for the 2700m Sunshine Cup at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, September 7. Of course, it is too early to guess how many will stand their ground for this ZW$30 000 event, but never too early to start wondering about a likely winner.

Many thanks to Pedigree Bwana (a.k.a. Chris Swart) for this information:

HEIR LINE, by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare from the family of Rotterdam and Harry Hotspur, would not appear to have a great deal of stamina but his second dam, Kiss of Peace, won the Natal Oaks on class.

THREE TO TANGO the Zimbabwe Derby winner – 3rd dam a sister to the great Gatecrasher with Sharp Romance a stamina influence. No shortage of stamina in the sire, Greys Inn, a Derby winner.

ARTE is stamina proven and bred by Ideal World out of a Fort Wood mare with more stamina coming from 2nd dam sire, Badger Land. Family of genuine stayers, Gift for the Gap, Oaks placed Idle Fancy, that goes back to Devon Air. Very big runner off a fast pace.

MASTER ‘N COMMANDER, by Captain Al out of a Jet Master mare, has three lines of Damascus. A superb pedigree but I have my concerns over this trip. Full siblings only got 1800m and the female line look milers at best. Lightly raced so could have a lot more to offer.

ROMAN DISCENT, proven stamina placing in the Winter Derby, by Dynasty out of a Caesour mare gives you linebreeding to Special through Sadler’s Wells and Nureyev. Definitely should have stamina on pedigree.

LEVEN POINT, by stamina sire Fort Wood, from the female line of great miler Wainui, Roidoille and Blue Tiger look like speed on the bottom line. I wouldn’t think the distance would be optimum on pedigree.

BUGATTI BLUE does have a stamina laden female line and with Sadler’s Wells and Sharpo this isn’t a surprise. Dam won over 1900m and siblings all went 2200m including a Gr1 placing in the Austrian Derby.

RAWEDGE is distance proven by a Derby winner, Ravishing. No problem at all going this ground and with a light weight looks very dangerous

When the going gets tough the tough get going, and Thomas Mason obviously believes this.

Starting a new stable from scratch is not easy at the best of times but, undaunted, Tomcat Racing’s new yard is looking spick and span and ready for more customers. Borrowdale Park desperately needs another competitive stable and I hope Thomas will soon get all the support he deserves.

He is one of those lucky people who loves what he does, and he has been a familiar face at Borrowdale for years.  He was born into racing as his mother, Anna Mason, trained in Denmark and Kenya.  Thomas attended senior school in Denmark and took the opportunity to ride work at that time.

He began his racing career in Zimbabwe with the late Murray Lindley, and subsequently joined Kirk Swanson’s yard in 2005, becoming an assistant trainer in 2009.  He has an eye for a good horse, having been influential in the acquisition of several local stars such as Cape Cod, Haga Haga, In The Mood, and Heir Line, to name a few.  He also understands the ins and outs of handicapping, as well as the rules and other intricacies of racing, better than most people.

Thomas sent out 5 runners in the closing stages of the 2018/19 racing season, contesting 8 races for two seconds, a third and a fourth.  Not bad for a start! At present, there are nine horses in the yard and there is stabling for 30.

Like most enthusiasts, Thomas follows the international racing scene closely and has a special fondness for English racing.  So, guess who managed to attend Royal Ascot this year?

I wish Thomas every success with his new venture and plenty of new horses, owners and syndicates in 2019/20. A contact number for Tomcat Racing is +263 775 528 489 or email mason_zim@yahoo.dk

Borrowdale Park will soon be gearing up for the first meeting of the 2019/20 racing season on Saturday, September 7.

Nominations are due on August 28, and Final Acceptances on September 2.

Vanessa Birketoft, who was attached to the Penny Fisher stable for several years, is now Assistant Trainer to Gokhan Terzi at his satellite yard, V Racing. The majority of the horses formerly with Penny Fisher are now with V Racing.

Penny Fisher’s final meeting at Borrowdale Park on Saturday July 27, was memorable.

In addition to winning the 1450 Breeders Sprint with Tandava – winning margin 6.50 lengths – her stable also won another three races.

Tandava, is owned and bred by Dave Rosser, and was ridden by Deon Sampson on Saturday, Coachella got off to a slow start and Bush Pilot went onto the pace. However, once Tandava made his move it was over bar the shouting.

Butchie Boy, Twilight Trip and Heir Line were placed,

Penny Fisher was on the board earlier with first and second in the 1800m MR 65 Handicap. Doubleosevenagain (Sampson), held on from fast-finishing Rose Diamond. Dunas Douradas came third. Doubleoseven is owned by Johnny Dardagan and was bred in Zimbabwe by Sarahdane Stud.

Rebellious Queen (Greyling) scored in the 1600m MR 50 Handicap with stable companion Hillah The Hun second. The daughter of National Emblem is owned by Gengiz Goksel.

Penny was back in the winners’ enclosure again with Yarraman (Sampson), also owned by Gengiz, in the 1600m Pinnacle Plate (80)!

For a send-off one can’t ask for much better than that.

It was good to see trainer Gavin Macleod back in action with Eureka Effect (C Habib) who won the 1700m Maiden Plate for Robyn Macleod.

There were no surprises in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks, won by Mia Finola with Caleb Habib in the irons. Trained by Bridget Stidolph, Mia Finola, by Var (USA) is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (nominee Mr D E Evans).

Ineffable ran second, then came Missy Franklin and Born to Shine.

Bridget Stidolph also won the first race on the Borrowdale Park card with Lute Society – Caleb Habib again. And the Penny Fisher Testimonial Champion Juvenile Stakes with Lily Blue (Wes Marwing) for Robyn Macleod and the Gin’ll Fix It Syndicate.

The last race of Borrowdale Park’s 2028/19 was won by What A Dandy with Denis Schwartz riding for owner John Koumides and trainer Kirk Swanson.

Congratulations to all the winning connections – and hoping to see you around a lot, Penny.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.