on some things lovely …

Thomas Mason, long-time TV Presenter at Borrowdale Park, and Assistant Trainer at Swanson Racing, is heading south during the racing break to become Assistant Trainer to Michael Miller in KZN. 

He is seen here with Fani Chambers and tomorrow’s race meeting will wrap up his stint at Borrowdale. We wish Tom every success with his new venture but he will be missed.

Go well Tom and come back soon for a visit.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

…then that’s it until September…

The Borrowdale Park race meeting on Sunday is the last one before the annual racing break – so no more local racing until September. To soften that blow there are eight races on the card, the first due off at 11.30 am.

With one or two exceptions these are particularly competitive fields, starting with the 1700m Summerhill Stud MR 55 at noon where it is quite hard to say which of the 10 runners have n’t a hope of winning.  Haga Haga drops in class and pays the penalty, carrying 61 kgs.  Philanthropy is on 60 kgs, and this time Wee Doch ‘n Dorris comes in with 55.5kgs.  If it wasn’t for his wide draw I might really fancy his chances.  In between, there is all of Red Savage, It’ a True Story, Battle Cry and Red Rebel.  This should be a worthwhile Quartet – if you can narrow it down to four horses.

Main feature on Sunday is the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L) for two-year-olds. Bridget Stidolph fields five of the seven runners, including Rain Spider, Born To Shine and Mia Finola.  Without doubt, Kirk Swanson and Penny Fisher will be hoping to upset that applecart with Party In the Park and Pas de Deux respectively.

All these runners have yet to try the 1450m trip and the Fencing Master (GB) filly, Pas de Deux is the only one with two wins under her belt. However, all of Byword (GB), Windrush (USA) and Var (USA) have progeny in this one which is due off at 14.45.  Anything could happen.

Another very interesting race is the 1600m Fillies Stakes where Simona, who never puts a foot wrong, takes on 8 fillies and mares.  The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)  carries 60 kgs but is sure to top the betting boards.

Peggson carries 60 kgs in the 1700m Nadeson Park Pinnacle (80) – another race designed for Quartet fans who enjoy a challenge.

Expect some excellent racing and start studying form right now.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News: Rain Spider swept up to win the 1200m Champion Juvenile Stakes on June 17, narrowly beating Pas de Deux and Mia Finola.  This trio meet again on Sunday in the 1450m Champagne Stakes (L).

Edward The Seventh defied top weight and headed Jay Kay Two in the last stride of the last race at Borrowdale on Saturday – a 1200m MR 71 Handicap.

The three-year-old Seventh Rock (AUS) gelding has now won four of his eight starts and he was bred by Rumbavu Park Stud in Zimbabwe. He is owned by Christopher Peech Keagan de Melo was riding for Kirk Swanson.

Well done everyone.

Detonation, by Dynasty and having his first start at Borrowdale, won the 2200m MR 69 Handicap on Saturday.

His stable companion Philanthropy finished a whisker behind – or 0.05 lengths. Detonation has now won five races and Chase Maujean rode for Bridget Stidolph. The six-year-old gelding was bred by Beaumont Stud.

Congratulations to the owners, Scott Buchan, Neil Evans and Ryan Sherwood, and the winning trainer and jockey.

Penny Fisher saddled the first three horses home in the1600m Novice Plate at Borrowdale Park on Saturday. Yarraman was first across the line followed by Sunrise Ruby and Kolinksy – winning margins 0.50 and 1.00 lengths.

The three-year-old gelding, Yarraman, is by Await The Dawn (USA) and was bred by Limpo Trading (Pty) Ltd. He runs in the colours of Gengiz Goksel and has now won two of his three starts in Harare. This time Keagan de Melo had the ride.

Congratulations to the winning connections.

Gateway Gamble and Adrenalina fought out the finish of the Air Zimbabwe MR 50 Handicap at Borrowdale on Saturday – winning margin 0.75 lengths.

By Mullins Bay (GB) and out of a Goldkeeper (USA) mare, this was the five-year-old Gateway Gamble’s fifth victory for Michele Stainton. He is trained by Kirk Swanson and was bred by Shadwell Stud. Sherman Brown had the ride.

Congratulations everyone.

Penny Fisher’s stable was off to a flying start on Republic Cup Day at Borrowdale Park when Action Jackson won the 1000m Caaz Maiden Plate.

This was the son of Jackson’s racing debut and the two-year-old colt looked at one stage as if he would be a runaway winner. His three-year-old stable companion, The River Green, put a stop to that with a fine finish which put him within 0.25 lengths of the winner. Ex- Geoff Woodruff, The Green River was having his first outing in Harare.

Bred by Mr I.W. Longmore Action Jackson is owned by Gengiz Goksel and Jarryd Penny was in the irons. Congratulations to all concerned.

There were plenty of close finishes at Borrowdale Park on Saturday – with Tanganyika the exception.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph and with Morgan Nymagwete up, Tanganyika won the 1600m Catercraft Maiden Juvenile Plate by five lengths. He has been knocking on the door for a while and obviously relished some extra ground. By Ato, home-bred Tanganyika is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd.

Congratulations everyone.

Earlier I posted that Wayne Kieswetter of Highlands Stud trading as Ridgemont, and Brian Finch, had escaped the photographers in the Borrowdale Park parade ring.

Mr Kieswetter was here to watch his son Ross’s horse, Amsterdam, run in the Republic Cup, and Mr Finch accompanied him. They are seen here chatting with Gael and Denis Evans of Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd on Saturday afternoon.

So good to see Brian Finch back in his old stamping ground, and great to have a line-up of South African owners on course.

Photograph by Gavin Macleod

Gael and Denis Evans of Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd were at Borrowdale Park on Saturday afternoon to see their home-bred colt, Tanganyika, win the 1600m Maiden Juvenile Plate.

Later in the day their star filly, Simona, came a gallant second in the Republic Day Cup (GR3). So, not a bad day at the office.

We really appreciate it when South African owners support Zimbabwe racing and actually come to the races.

Representatives of Highlands Stud trading as Ridgemont were also on course on Saturday – but unfortunately managed to avoid the photographers.

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News.

You have to love this pic….

Training racehorses has ups and downs, and glorious days are interspersed with worry and sometimes heartbreak. It is moments like this that keep the people involved hanging in there for more of the same.

It was a High Fives day on Saturday for Kirk Swanson’s team and his very loyal supporters – three winners at Borrowdale Park, including Heir Line’s victory in the Republic Cup.

Congratulations Kirk and Debbie Swanson, Assistant Trainer Thomas Mason, Kylie Bonthrone, all the Gorringes, and everyone else who should be mentioned.

Memories are made of this.

Photograph by Andrew Philip.

Heir Line, under a brave ride from Keagan de Melo, went wide, found the front, and held on to win the $60 000 Republic Cup at Borrowdale Park this afternoon.

Simona ran on gamely from the back of the field but couldn’t catch the four-year-old son of Dynasty. Bush Pilot and Master Switch finished third and fourth.

Trained by Kirk Swanson and bred by Varsfontein Stud, Heir Line is owned by Dave Ward, Gary Carter, Vikkas Patel, Sean Gorringe, Paula Lewis and Paul and Ursula Gorringe.

Congratulations to all the winning connections and thanks to the sponsors of this race.