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.

Leven Point has been scratched from Borrowdale Park’s big race, the Castle Tankard, due to be run this Saturday, May 5. His trainer Bridget Stidolph has advised that the gelding is, unfortunately, Lame Right Hind.

SIMONA (4f) 52 kgs. Drawn 8. Jarryd Penny rides for Bridget Stidolph.

This lovely Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) filly out of Western Winter (USA) mare takes on the boys in Satuday’s prestigious Castle Tankard run over 2000m. She has won six and been placed six times from 18 starts. Ran second to Ashton Park, when in receipt of 1.5 kgs, in the recent 1600m Independence Trophy (carrying 57.5 kgs).

Has yet to try 2000m but on Saturday this improving filly carries 52 kgs so certainly in with a shout. Has beaten Phantom Major over 1800m when in receipt of 2 kgs. They meet at level weights in the Tankard.

Photograph: Jarryd Penny and Simona have teamed up well before.

Mathematician and Morgan Nyamagwete won the 2016 Republic Cup

MATHEMATICIAN (5g) 57kgs. Drawn 3. Brendon McNaughton rides for Bridget Stidolph.

Hard to say how Mathematician will fare in Saturday’s 2000m Castle Tankard (GR1). He is an enigma with four very good wins and 8 places from 23 starts to his credit. Came to Zimbabwe as a maiden in November 2015 and as a three-year-old won the 2016 SA Bloodstock 2000, the Zimbabwe Derby and the 1900m Republic Cup.

That same year Mathematician ran second in the Castle Tankard, and fourth in the 1800m OK Grand Challenge, but has not won since he scored in the Republic Cup in July 2016.

Obviously there must have been issues as 2017 was definitely not his year. He was second to Ashton Park in the 2018 Ipi Tombe Stakes then appeared to go off the boil again. Mathematician wore blinkers in his last two unplaced outings but is not carded to don them here. A son of Black Minnaloushe (USA) out of an Elliodor (FR) mare cannot be discounted.

COMANCHE BRAVE (5g) 58.5 kgs. Drawn 1. Sherman Brown rides for Bridget Stidolph.

Comanche Brave is going for a Castle Tankard double and comes packed with winning credentials. He won the 2017 Breeders Champions Cup run over 2000m, and Saturday’s runner, Mathematician, who was giving the winner 6.5 kgs, was three-parts of a length behind him. At that time Comanche Brave was trained by Amy Bronkhorst. He went on to win the 2017 Castle Tankard with Evert Pheiffer up in May, and the 1900m Republic Cup in July.

Since joining the Stidolph yard Comanche Brave completed his Breeders Champions Cup double in March 2018. His stablemates Leven Point and Mathematician finished third and fourth. The Kahal (GB) gelding has now won seven of his 24 starts and been placed 9 times. He carries more weight in this year’s big one but should still do well on Saturday.

Bridget Stidolph will also saddle Mathematician. Simona, Leven Point and Roman Discent.

It’s time to meet some of  the contestants in the $50 000 Castle Tankard which will be run at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, May 5 2018.

MASTER SWITCH (above) (6g) 59 kgs. Drawn 5. W. Agrella rides for Penny Fisher.

By Jetmaster out of an Al Mufti (USA) mare. Five wins from 27 runs including victories in South Africa over 1800m and 2000m.

First start at Borrowdale was on March 25 over 2000m in the Breeders Champions Cup where Master Switch finished 9.25 lengths off the winner, Comanche Brave. That day he carried 60 kgs giving away 2 kgs. On Saturday Comanche Brave will only receive half a kg from Master Switch.

Master Switch’s last start was in the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 15 where he did not shine but this could have been the prep race for this one. Master Switch has yet to put his best forward forward in Harare. He certainly looks the part.

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News

Kilrain (red cap) a close third behind Dawn Assault and Secret Captain in recent Drum Star Handicap (L)/

KILRAIN (6g) 59kgs. Drawn 9. M. J. Byleveld rides for Mike de Kock.

By Dynasty out of an Elliodor (FR) mare. Six wins from 38 starts over 1200m – 2400m. His last outing was on March 17 when he ran third in the 1800m Drum Star Handicap (L) at Turffontein, beaten half a length by Dawn Assault.

He won the 2400m Pinnacle Stakes on February 3. On January 4, at the Vaal, Kilrain finished a length behind Saturday’s runner, Amsterdam, over 2000m (a MR 91 Handicap), when giving the winner 2 kgs. Amsterdam will be half a kg better off now but Kilrain is a force to be reckoned with providing he likes his new surroundings.

The first race at Borrowdale Park on Saturday is due off at 12.50 pm.  The big race is at 16.25.

Four days to go until the 56th running of the $50 000 Castle Tankard (Gr1). All the action will take place at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, May 5.

The Mike de Kock trained Dynasty gelding, Kilrain, has travelled to Zimbabwe this week to take part in Zimbabwe’s major race.

According to Sporting Post, ” It is only De Kock’s second raid North Of The Limpopo. MJ Byleveld will be riding the 6yo, who recently ran a smart third in the Listed Drum Star Handicap. Kilrain is likely to stay on for the $40 000 OK Grand Challenge to be run on 2 June.”

Ashton Park is a Card Scratching which leaves nine runners in the Tankard line-up.

Congratulations to, Mr V. Gappah, Mr R.H.S and Mrs P. Beattie, and Mr D.H. and Mrs J.L. Cockedge, the owners of Knuckleball who ran a great race at Borrowdale Park on Sunday afternoon, as expected.

The son of Curved Ball (AUS) kept in touch with the pacesetter, Pirate Hunter, but coming into the home straight there was never any doubt about who would win the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby.

Ryan Munger rode the winner for Penny Fisher.

Israel, second, was followed across the line by Peggson and Bugatti Blue.

Knuckleball also won the Zimbabwe 2000. He has won five of his 12 starts and been placed 7 times. The three-year-old gelding was bred by Clifton Stud.

This Sunday, April 29, is Zimbabwe Derby Day at Borrowdale Park – the ultimate test of speed and stamina for three-year-olds.

The race is run over 2400m – a distance none of Sunday’s runners have yet had a chance to try.

Why do we continue to run our Derby over this gruelling trip? Because it is the third leg of the Triple Crown and traditionally this is the correct distance.

This week the racing press quoted an Irish National Hunt trainer, who is involved in a fight to the finish with another trainer for training honours (WillieMullins and GordonElliott, I think, but can’t find the relevant tweet). Mr Mullins said “Anything that can raise a gallop will be there…” In many cases this comment could have been applied to our Derby fields but so what. Racing is entwined with tradition, and racing in Zimbabwe has been around long enough to appreciate this.

Seven runners are carded for Sunday’s event and the race is due off at 15 55 pm. The Penny Fisher yard is represented by Knuckleball, Kirk Swanson fields Israel, Bugatti Blue and Pirate Hunter, and Bridget Stidolph will saddle Peggson, Tremendous and Hashtag Rounda. All carry 58 kgs.

The first leg of our Triple Crown, the 1600m Zimbabwe Guineas, was won by Butchie Boy (not racing this time). Knuckleball (0.75 lengths back) came second and Peggson third. In the second leg, the 2000m Zimbabwe 2000, Knuckleball won by 4 lengths in soft going, Israel was second, then Butchie Boy and Bugatti Blue. Pirate Hunter failed miserably in this one.

Tremendous (Fanie Chambers) and Hashtag Rounda (Brendon McNaughton) are new to the Classic scene. Tremendous won his last start, a 2000m Maiden Plate on April 1, beating Hashtag Rounda (third) by 2.75 lengths. He is by Mambo In Seattle(USA) out of a Fort Wood mare so there is a good chance he will stay the extra 400m. Hashtag Rounda has been placed in his last four starts from 1600m to 2000m. He is by Philanthropist (USA) so could surprise.

There is no doubt that on past performance the main focus will be on Knuckleball, then Israel, Peggson and Bugatti Blue. Knuckleball by Curved Ball (USA) is a four-time winner from 1600m to 2000m and has been placed in the rest of his 11 starts. Ryan Munger has the ride.

Israel, by Seventh Rock (AUS) out of a Kitalpha(USA) mare, won his first two starts over 1260m and then was placed second over 1700m and 2000m. He has been consistent and will have supporters. Sherman Brown rides.

With ten starts under his belt Peggson, by Jay Peg, has racing experience and won a 1700m Maiden Plate in September, finishing four lengths clear of Knuckleball. He then won the Three-Year-Old Mile in October (beating Butchie Boy at level weights). Peggson is usually thereabouts so don’t write him off. Chase Maujean will be in the irons.

Bugatti Blue by Traffic Guard (USA) won his penultimate start over 1700m, finishing 6 lengths clear of Tremendous in heavy going (penetrometer reading 32), and on that occasion looked as if he could stay all day. Has only had six starts and was placed in four of them from 1100m to 2000m. Hennie Greyling rides.

As I have a share in Pirate Hunter I would prefer to say nothing at all. Speaking only for myself I will say he is beautiful, works well, and shocked me rigid in his last two starts. Hopefully it was the going, the effects of a virus or something. This son of Mullins Bay(GB) has raced five times, coming third over 1200m, a close second to Hillah The Hun over 1700m and quitting the maidens over 1800m on February 25. Tremendous ran second, 1.25 lengths behind. Francois Herholdt has the ride.

Photographs of all the Derby runners have been posted on Facebook and C.John Smith commented:

“ Also the ultimate test for the jockeys, their judgement of pace and when to press the button – plus there are a few tactical things to consider too. Also the trainer is tested – just how to condition each horse to a peak for this special race. This is no dash or pacey mile – one day the Zim Derby will resume its pre-eminent role as the Blue Riband event at Borrowdale – hope I live long enough!”

I think that says it all…..

The first race on Sunday is at 13.00 – and in the meantime please don’t rain dance.

Photograph:  Knuckleball won the Zimbabwe 2000,  Can he handle 2400m?