What A Dandy won the 1100m MR 68 Handicap at Borrowdale on Sunday, beating stable companion Edward The Seventh (conceding 6kgs) by a length at the finish.

Owned by John Koumides, What a Dandy by Just As Well (USA),was bred by Barton Hall Stud. Francie Herholdt had the ride and the three-year-old is trained by Kirk Swanson.

Photograph by Gavin Macleod

The Kirk Swanson stable sent out two winners at Borrowdale on Sunday, and Francois Herholdt rode both of them.

First up was Israel who finished 1.25 lengths clear of Peggson, followed by Rebellious Queen and Heir Line, in the 1600m Graduation Plate.

The lightly raced three-year-old Seventh Rock (AUS) gelding has now had 6 outings for three wins and three seconds. He is owned by Christopher Peech and was bred by Rumbavu Park Stud.

Later in the day the John Koumides-owned What A Dandy got up to beat stablemate Edward The Seventh in the 1100m MR 68 Handicap.

Congratulations to the winning connections.

Photograph by Andrew Philip Equine Photography

Finlay, trained by Penny Fisher and with Mathew Thackeray in the irons, was a comfortable winner of the 1800m MR 50 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Sunday. Winning margin 3.50 lengths clear of Hashtag Rounda.

The five-year-old gelding, by Go Deputy (USA) and out of a Western Winter (USA) mare has now won three races and was bred by Lammerskraal Stud. He is owned by Gengiz Goksel, Bruce McClauchlan and Dave Rosser.

Congratulations to the winning connections

Gavin Macleod captured this moment in the 1260m MR 85 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

The race was won by Super Good (Stidolph/Storey) carrying 62.5 kgs, and Belle Epoque, from the Swanson yard and with Keagan de Melo aboard, came second. In this picture Super Good is leading the pack and Belle Epoque (in pink) isn’t yet in contention. Zita (green and white silks) came third.

Raven Girl, bred by Drakenstein Stud, won the Zimbabwe Oaks (L) at Borrowdale Park as expected, so we got something right.

The Philanthropist (USA) filly, trained by Bridget Stidolph and ridden by Collen Storey, is owned by Ryan Sherwood, Neil Evans, Scott Buchan and Bridget Stidolph. This was Raven Girl’s third victory in succession and included two legs of the Triple Tiara. Congratulations to all the winning connections.

Sweet Tea, the winner’s stable companion, set the pace in the 2000m race, tracked by Fillies Classic winner Wild Imogen, while Raven’s Girl remained in touch with the front runners. The Bold Silvano filly, In the Mood, showed up well coming up the straight but it was all over when the favourite made her move. The result was Raven’s Girl, followed by Wild Imogen, In The Mood and Magical Charm.

With only five runners in the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks (L) (last leg of our Triple Tiara), Raven Girl, winner of the second leg, the 1800m Silver Slipper (L), is likely to start outright favourite at Borrowdale Park on Sunday afternoon.

The daughter of Philanthropist (USA) won a 1800m MR 68 Handicap on Castle Tankard Day, beating the older and wiser Designer Pot, who was conceding 1.5 kgs, by 5 lengths.

Sunday’s runner, Wild Imogen, won the first leg of the Triple Tiara, the 1600m Fillies Classic, but Raven Girl was only 0.05 lengths behind her. In the Silver Slipper Wild Imogen (second) finished three lengths back.

Recent Novice Plate dead-heaters, In The Mood and Magical Charm, seem evenly matched. Neither have raced further than 1600m, to date, but on breeding both should see out the 2000m trip.

On previous form the Antonius Pius (USA) filly, Sweet Tea, will have to improve drastically to feature. With recent Tankard winner, Roman Discent, in mind I am not going to say she can’t do that!

It is, however, probably safe to say that whoever beats Raven Girl wins.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News: Above – Raven Girl.  Below the Bold Silvano filly In The Mood.

Roman Discent, by Dynasty, won the $50 000 Castle Tankard at Borrowdale Park this afternoon and, to quote the winning trainer Bridget Stidolph “Surprised everyone on Borrowdale Racecourse.” A win paid $34.30!

It was almost a clean sweep for the Stidolph yard in the Tankard. Bridget also saddled Simona (second) and Mathematician (fourth). The Tote Favourite, Kilrain, was third.

Matthew Thackeray rode a brilliant race, coming from behind and fighting out a tight finish with Simona. Roman Discent was bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm.

Congratulations to all the winning connections. Roman Discent is owned by Ryan Sherwood,Scott Buchan, Neil Evans, Gary Carter, Merlyn Chant and Paula Lewis. The Ipi Tombe Room at Borrowdale Park will be jumping tonight.

Photographs by Andrew Philip

The morning in Harare is bright and clear and it’s all systems go at Borrowdale Park for our race of the year.

Thoughts are with the connections of every runner at today’s race meeting – there must be a few butterflies here and there.

The first race is due off at 12.50 pm and the Castle Tankard is at 16.25.

We wish you happy racing and safe returns.

Photograph by Andrew Philip.

The Mike de Kock-trained Kilrain is here at Borrowdale Park with Assistant Trainer Vengesai Masawi – and is all set to race in the 2000m Castle Tankard on Saturday.

Welcome to Zimbabwe Kilrain and Vengesai.

Photograph by Andrew Philip.

(6g) 55.5kgs. Drawn 2. Greg Cheyne rides for Kirk Swanson.

By Windrush(USA) and out of a Machiavellian (USA) mare, Amsterdam has won 6 races and been placed 14 times from 32 starts. His only race at Borrowdale Park was in the Ipi Tombe Stakes on February 25 when he ran third to Ashton Park, 0.75 lengths back. Mathematician was second, 0.50 lengths off the winner and all carried 60 kgs.

Amsterdam’s previous outing was at Turffontein on January 27 when he won a 1800m MR 99 Handicap, beating Bankable Teddy. He has won from 1600m to 2000m and beaten Kilrain over 2000m when receiving 2kgs. On Saturday he will be 1.5 kgs better off. He had a setback and was scratched from the Breeders Champions Cup, however he is fit and well and the stable are hoping for a big run in the Castle Tankard. Interesting.

(4g) 52 kgs. Drawn 4. Francois Herholdt rides for Kirk Swanson

By Sarge out of a Tara’s Hall (SNL) mare. The lightly raced Phantom Major has won 3 and been placed 7 times from 10 starts. And he has won over the Tankard distance, 2000m… in December… in a Merit Rated 80 Handicap, when he narrowly beat Kevin Barry when receiving 6.5 kgs.

On January 28 over 1800m he was 1.75 lengths off Simona, when giving the filly 2kgs. I would say his best performances to date have been over 1800m and 2000m. Phantom Major is not only handsome, but also gutsy. With a light weight he should give some cheek in the Castle Tankard.

(5g) 52 kgs. Drawn 6. M. Thackeray rides for Bridget Stidolph

By Dynasty, Roman Discent’s tally is 3 wins 9 places from 38 starts. His first race at Borrowdale Park was in the 2017 Tankard won by Comanche Brave.

He ran in the 2017 OK Grand Challenge then finished fourth to Comanche Brave in the 1900m Republic Cup. So far Roman Discent hasn’t scored in top company but is often thereabouts. He will see out the Tankard trip and with 52 kgs on board may be one for the exotics.

The Castle Tankard will be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.