The first race at Borrowdale Park today, October 6, is at 11.50 am.

Make an early start because it is ZNA Day – a large crowd is expected and there are some competitive races on the card.

Photograph by Gavin McLeod

Earlier this week I said Saturday’s 1800m ZNA Charity Handicap might not be all about Simona, Roman Discent and Heir Line – and, believe me, there are some jokers in this pack.

In addition to Simona and Roman Discent, the Stidolph yard will also be represented by Bush Pilot and Twilight Trip. This pair distinguished themselves at the last race meeting, by providing a cliff-hanger finish over 1200m with 0.10 lengths separating them at the wire. Bush Pilot is nearest the camera in the photograph above.

Carrying 63kgs he got the verdict from his stable companion who was receiving 3 kgs.

It was Twilight Trip’s first outing at Borrowdale Park. This five-year-old gelding is by Trippi (USA) out of a Jet Master mare. Previously based at Kenilworth, he has 3 wins (over 1600m and 1700m) and 10 places to his credit from 16 starts. Brendon McNaughton will ride at 53 kgs.

By Judpot out of a Badger Land (USA) mare, Bush Pilot has had three starts in Harare, winning two races here over 1700m and 1200m. His two victories in Gauteng were over 1600m but the five-year-old gelding has been placed up to 2000m.

Morgan Nyamagwete, who partnered Bush Pilot when he ran third to Heir Line in the 1900m Republic Cup, will be in the irons. Set to carry 56.5kgs this time, Bush Pilot is marginally better off with Heir Line here.

The Fisher stable fields Knuckleball and Lava Flow – and neither needs to be introduced to Borrowdale Park punters.

Knuckleball (above), a four-year-old gelding by Curved Ball (AUS), ran second in the Zimbabwe Guineas, then won both the Zimbabwe 2000 and the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby last season. He has won 5 races and been placed 8 times from 13 starts.

Francois Herholdt rides at 54.5 kgs on Saturday. Knuckleball will prove just how good he is if he shapes up in this company.

Last but certainly not least is Lava Flow (below) – a seven-year-old Western Winter (USA) gelding who has won five and been placed 19 times from 46 starts.

And never forget that Lava Flow, on 52 kgs, won this race in 2016, finishing 2.50 lengths clear of Call Me Earl, Print The Pounds and Newton Power, from whom he was receiving 2.5 kgs.

He fluffed his lines in the Republic Cup, finishing 7.10 lengths off the winner but, prior to that was placed in each of his nine starts, from 1600m to 2400m. This included a win on April 29 (the day Knuckleball won the Derby).

On that occasion, Lava Flow beat Heir Line by half-a-length over 1800m when receiving 5kgs.

Lava Flow is set to carry 52 kgs in Saturday’s ZNA Charity Handicap but Hennie Greyling is likely to put up an extra kg. Even so he will be receiving 7 kgs from Simona, 5kgs from Heir Line, and 4 kgs from Roman Discent.

Only the brave will drop Lava Flow from their Quartets.

A close finish to the 2018 Castle Tankard, won by Roman Discent, then Simona,  Kilrain and Mathematician. 

Roman Discent, Simona and Heir Line, each won one of Borrowdale Park’s ‘big three’ in 2018. They meet again on Saturday in the 1800m ZNA Charity Handicap and the question is ‘Can one of them once again gain the upper hand when giving weight to the rest of the field?’

Roman Discent, carrying 52 kgs, starting price 66/1, narrowly beat Simona (52 kgs) and the favourite Kilrain (59kgs) in the $50 000 Castle Tankard (Gr1) over 2000m.

Simona went one better in the 1800m OK Grand Challenge (Gr2). The filly carrying 53,5 kgs, finished two lengths clear of the outsider Peggson (52kgs) in the $40 000 event, followed by Master Switch on 57 kgs, and Kilrain (60 kgs). The Tankard winner, Roman Discent, then burdened with 54 kgs, was fifth, about five lengths back.

Heir Line (below), coming off a victory in a 1700m MR 80 Handicap on June 17, came to the party in the $60 000 Republic Cup (Gr3) which is run over 1900m.

With 53kgs on his back, Heir Line was receiving 3 kgs from Simona, who was only one length behind him. Saturday’s runner Bush Pilot (52 kgs) was third, Master Switch (57.5 kgs) fourth, and Roman Discent (54.5 kgs) fifth.

On Saturday Simona, with a Merit Rating of 90, carries the top weight of 60kgs. Heir Line (MR 86) is on 58 kgs, and Roman Discent (MR 84) is on 57 kgs. The handicapper has played his part and Saturday’s race will establish whether 2018’s stars will retain supremacy or not.

Simona is probably the best bet. She was only a length off Heir Line over 1900m when giving away 3kgs, and the Republic Cup winner will receive 2kgs from Simona this time. Roman Discent was receiving 1.5 kgs from Simona in the Republic Cup while giving Heir Line 1.5 kgs. In the ZNA Charity Handicap he receives 3 kgs from Simona and 1 kg from Heir Line. The turnaround in weights should, in theory, bring Roman Discent back into the reckoning.

Interesting as this may be this race is probably not going to be all about Simona, Heir Line and Roman Discent.

Relative newcomer Twilight Trip has weight on his side, as have Knuckleball and the veteran, Lava Flow. Bush Pilot cannot be discounted. And the ‘big races” this year have been won by horses carrying 52 kgs, 53.5 kgs and 53 kgs, respectively.

Fortunately, we have the rest of the week to brood about that.

Simona won the 2018 OK Grand Challenge run over 1800m.  Minor places went to Peggson, Master Switch, and Kilrain.

This is how one is supposed to greet a horse coming into the Number Two Box…Cool Solution’s warm welcome at Borrowdale Park on Sunday after coming second in the 1100m MR 60 Handicap.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Three winners on the 7-race Borrowdale Park card on September 23 came from the Stidolph stable.

Bush Pilot (Calvin Habib)  above, left,  and his stablemate Twilight Trip (Collen Storey) were both fancied in the 1200m MR 75 Handicap. Only 0.10 lengths separated the two in an exciting finish, with Bush Pilot, by Judpot, getting the verdict. This was Twilight Trip’s Harare debut and the Tellytrack presenter decided this Trippi gelding was one for his notebook.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Bush Pilot is a fairly recent arrival in Harare. He is owned by Scott Buchan, Neil Evans, Ash Dixon, Ryan Sherwood and Bridget Stidolph. Congratulations to all the connections.

Next up was Pampas, owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (nominee: Dennis Evans), in the 1600m Graduation Plate. The Silvano (GER) gelding finished with style, finishing 1.50 lengths clear of Hillah The Hun.

Pampas has now won three and been placed twice from 12 starts. He was bred by Maine Chance Farms and, once again, Calvin Habib had the winning ride.

The last race of the day was the 1100m MR 60 Handicap won by Kilowatt Kid (Habib) from Cool Solution, Cotton Rock and Switchblade.

The Kildonan gelding is owned by Messrs S.W. Shutt, K. Hatendi, Duncan Jones, H.D. Parboo and D.C. Samuels. He was bred by Dr I.A. Katz and Mr L. Lewison.

Congratulations all around.

The Fisher yard saddled the first four horses in the 1700m Maiden Plate at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – and with a little bit of luck should now be sharing the $1700.60 payout for that Quartet.

The race was won by Kye Kelly (10/1), owned by Gengiz Goksel; Sunrise Ruby (31/4) ran second and belongs to Gengiz and Dave Rosser; Innovation was third, SP 15/1 (also owned by Gengiz), and Vulista (8/10) runs in the colours of Dave Rosser. Hopefully, that was some after-race party.

Kye Kelly is a four-year-old Visionaire (USA) gelding, bred by Team Valour International (nominee: Barry Irwin). This was his third start in Harare. Chase Maujean was in the irons.

Congratulations to all concerned.

In The Mood romped off with the Sable Flyers (L) handicap at Borrowdale Park. From the 200m mark the 1260m event was virtually done and dusted – winning margins 5.50, 7.00 and 9.50 lengths.

Elegant Beauty came second followed by Summer Spin and Roberta’s Passion. Seven Kingdoms was scratched earlier on a veterinary certificate

The winner is a four-year-old filly by Bold Silvano out of a Kahal (GB) mare. Francois Herholdt was in the irons.

Congratulations to owner John Koumides and the Kirk Swanson yard. In The Mood has now won three races and been placed 6 times from 9 starts. She was bred by Summerhill Stud.

Kirk saddled three winners during Sunday afternoon, the first being Three To Tango (Sherman Brown), who finished 2.50 lengths clear of Hyper Jet in the 1200m Maiden Plate. This was the three-year-old Gray’s Inn (USA) colt’s second outing.

He was bred by Geoff Armitage. and is owned by Mr C.M. and Mrs E.B. Shepherd, Kylie Bonthrone and John Koumides. Well done everyone.

Haga Haga (Norbert Takawira) completed his personal hat-trick in the 1800m MR 60 Handicap, holding off Philanthropy by 0.75 lengths. The son of Mullins Bay (GB) played a waiting game until it seemed all over bar the shouting, then came with a devastating dash along the paint.

Bred by Summerhill Stud, Haga Haga is owned by Ben Mugabe and Ron Mhizha. Congratulations – this is becoming a habit.

Quite frankly I was afraid on this occasion that 61 kgs and an extra 100m would be a step too far, but how wrong can one be?

In The Mood romped off with the Sable Flyers (L) at Borrowdale Park this afternoon. From the 200m mark the 1260m event was virtually done and dusted.

Elegant Beauty was second followed by Summer Spin and Roberta’s Passion.
Seven Kingdoms was scratched on a veterinary certificate

The winner is a four-year-old filly by Bold Silvano. Francois Herholdt was in the irons.

Congratulations to owner John Koumides and the Kirk Swanson yard. In The Mood has now won three and been placed 6 times from 9 starts.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: IN THE MOOD with Sherman Brown aboard. The four-year-old will have Francois Herholdt in the irons when she runs in the Sable Flyers on Sunday.

Elegant Beauty, second to Belle Epoque in the 1260m Sable Flyers (L) in 2017, will line up again at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, hoping to go one better.

This time the daughter of Main Aim (GB) is set to carry 60 kgs. The Sable Flyers is a handicap for fillies and mares, with weights based on the sole discretion of the handicapper.

Penny Fisher’s charge, Elegant Beauty, will be taking on her stable companions, Summer Spin and Roberta’s Passion, as well as Kirk Swanson’s pair, Seven Kingdoms and In The Mood.

A small field, but interesting. Those we know must all have a chance and then there is Borrowdale first-timer, Summer Spin, who has the outside draw.

Scroll down for more about these main race runners, and maybe think about a Trifecta here rather than a quartet. Roberta’s Passion, Elegant Beauty and In The Mood, boxed, would be my choice.

Quartet fans could have a field day in at least four of Sunday’s carded races. The third race is a 1800m MR 60 Handicap where the 8 runners include Haga Haga, Philanthropy and It’s A True Story, all winners at the last meeting, and don’t forget Finlay, who carries 52 kgs – and Baumgartner.

Maiden Plates are always tricky and in the one over 1700m (race 4) you have 9 contenders to consider. Perhaps bank Vulista and Coastal Attraction to run in the first four.

Next up is a 1600m Graduation Plate and good luck with that. Pampas, Hashtag Rounda and Tremendous raced on September 8 but the other eight runners are coming fresh off the break – and watch those weights.

Last race of the day is a Merit Rated 60 Handicap over 1100m with nine runners carded. Of these several would probably prefer further. One could go mad and take The River Green, Kilowatt Kid, Adrenalina and Switchblade, but there is no guarantee you won’t regret ignoring top weighted Cool Solution.

The first race on Sunday is due off at 12.40 pm.

SABLE FLYERS RUNNERS

ELEGANT BEAUTY – 60 kgs Drawn 3 – J. Greyling – Penny Fisher.
Five-year-old mare by Main Aim (GB) out of a National Assembly (CAN) mare. 16 starts for 2 wins and 5 places. Finished 2.50 lengths behind Coachella in the 2017 HRIB Gold Cup when receiving 9 kgs. Ran second in this race last year (carrying 52.5 kgs), then turned the tables on the winner, Belle Epoque, over 1100m in October. Her last start was on July 29. This will be Elegant Beauty’s seventh outing at Borrowdale Park. MR 65.

SUMMER SPIN – 59 kgs Drawn 5 – C. Maujean – Penny Fisher.
Four-year-old filly by Sail From Seattle (CAN) out of an Al Mufti (USA) mare. Raced six times in Gauteng for one win over 1200 m and two places. Her last start was at the Vaal on March 27. Borrowdale Park first-timer and the dark horse. MR 64.

ROBERTA’S PASSION – 57.5 kgs Drawn 2 – J. Penny – Penny Fisher.
Five-year-old mare by Tiger Ridge (USA) out of an Argentinian mare. 20 runs for 3 wins and 10 places. In her 6 starts at Borrowdale Roberta’s Passion has won twice and run two seconds. She was second to What A Dandy over Sunday’s trip on April 15, having beaten The Catcher over 1200m in March. On June 17 she finished 0.50 Lengths in front of Cool Solution when receiving 1.5 kgs – over 1200m. If racing fit after the break she should do well here. MR 60.

SEVEN KINGDOMS – 57.5 kgs Drawn 1 – S. Brown – Kirk Swanson.
Seven-year-old mare by Sarge with 3 wins and 15 places from 32 starts. Pretty consistent of late but usually over more ground. However, she has won over 1260m – in June 2016 when beating Dirty Champagne. MR 60.

IN THE MOOD – 54 kgs Drawn 4 – F. Herholdt – Kirk Swanson.

A four-year-old filly by Bold Silvano out of a Kahal (GB) mare.  Has won two races and been placed 6 times from 8 starts – the wins coming over 1200m and dead-heating with Magical Charm over 1600m. Perhaps not really bred to sprint but it will be disappointing if In The Mood doesn’t give a good account of herself.  MR 54.

Trouble is, when renovating, one thing leads to another and Avalon Follett-Smith, with help from Friends of Borrowdale Park, is working up a storm on the top balcony at Borrowdale Park – and emptying the kitty.

But what a difference some paint – along with plenty of elbow grease and a few other things – makes.

The Tote on the top balcony has a fresh new look…the ceiling has been a “big job” involving lots of rhino bond…the floor outside the lift and in the Stewards Quarters still has a long way to go…but let’s talk about fridges.

Theo da Fonseca (company name Cold Control) has transformed the two fridges under the bar counter …formerly best described as scabrous…and cleaned and serviced the cold room – at cost! Thank you, Theo, for your help.

As for the floors – the photograph best tells the story – of what they could be like but sadly are not.

None of this would have been possible without the help of various companies and individuals who believe in racing in Zimbabwe and Borrowdale Park. A thousand times thank you.

A sample of what the floors could look like, after treatment, but sadly do not.

Hard to recognise the under-counter fridges now.

Hard at work on the ceiling.

Totalisator facilities looking brighter.

Stablemates Switchblade (Sampson) and The Catcher (Takawira), were involved in a tight finish to the 1200m MR 52 Handicap – last race at Borrowdale on Saturday.

Switchblade retained the upper hand giving Deon Sampson his fifth winner that day, and trainer Kirk Swanson his fourth.

Bred by Rous Bros (Henham Stud) the Noordhoek Flyer gelding is owned by John Koumides.

Congratulations everyone.