The Breeders Champion Cup (L) will be run over 2000m at Borrowdale Park on Sunday and it has the hallmarks of a fascinating race.

Included in the field of 10 are Print The Pounds and Eurakilon, and many will remember that race on January 17, over 1800m, when Eurakilon was declared the winner, a decision later reversed in favour of Print The Pounds. Only 0.05 lengths separated these two contenders and Print The Pounds was receiving 2 kgs from Eurakilon. This time the AP Answer filly will receive 4.5 kgs from her former rival.

The 2015 Breeders Champion Cup winner, Rock The Country, ran third to Print The Pounds on January 17. He is now marginally better off with Eurakilon, but will give Print The Pounds an additional 2 kgs. Tallie Two, placed fourth, now carries 53,5 kgs rather than 57 kgs, and only 1.30 lengths separated the first four home . I wouldn’t be surprised to see yielding going on Sunday and, based on the above, Print The Pounds looks the likely winner, with some cheek from Tallie Two – maybe.

However, there’s more. Gentle Brook came fifth in the January 17 event, 2.55 lengths off the winner, receiving 0.5 kgs. She will be 3.5 kgs better off with Bridget Stidolph’s charge on Sunday which should bring her into contention.

And it doesn’t end there because Lucky Sam and Equina (below) make an appearance in the Breeders Cup and, at their best, could make mincemeat of this field.

Lucky Sam, in his first start this year, finished a commendable third to Principled Man on February 14 in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes. That race will have brought him on and he will enjoy an extra 400m.

Equina ran about 5 lengths behind Lucky Sam in the Ipi Tombe but she too will prefer 2000m. Her last win, in November, was in the 1800m Champion Fillies Stakes where she vanquished her stable mate, Gentle Brook, as well as Print The Pounds, Diversify and Fig Jam. Her last three starts over 1450m, 1300m and 1600m have been unimpressive, but this is part of the run-up to the big three at Borrowdale – the Castle Tankard, OK Grand Challenge and Republic Cup – so it’s time for this well performed daughter of Silvano (GER) to show us something.

To sum up, Print The Pounds, seems in with a good shout, providing the big guns, Lucky Sam and Equina, are not quite ready.

A MATCH RACE?

Earlier in the afternoon the TBA Silver Slipper (second leg of the Triple Tiara) will also be run over 1800m and it is a “match” race between the Gokhan Terzi and Bridget Stidolph yards as the eight runners are shared equally between them.

The first leg of the Triple Tiara, the 1600m Fillies Classic, was won by Duffi’s Call (Stidolph) who finished a length in front of Pacifica (Terzi) at level weights, followed by Hunyani (Stidolph), and Second Guessing (Stidolph again).

At the last race meeting, in the 1600m Zimbabwe Guineas, Pacifica held off the fast finishing Stidolph charge, Super Good, a son of Announce, by a whisker, while Duffi’s Call, the only other filly in the Guineas, ran fourth, two lengths back. Surprisingly Call Me Earl, who had all the winning credentials, ran a disappointing fifth.

I find it hard to be enthusiastic about any race where only two stables are involved (if there were only two runners that would be different). On paper the Silver Slipper is between Pacifica and Duffi’s Call. The latter, a full sister to Print The Pounds, should see out the 1800m trip – Pacifica just managed to hold on in the Guineas so there might be stamina doubts. If so, Ladies First, by Silvano (GER) out of an Al Mufti mare, and Hunyani (by Horse Chestnut) will be waiting in the wings.

As the next race meeting at Borrowdale is on March 20, nominations for the Bloodstock 2000 (second leg of the Triple Crown) are already out. It concerns me that should Penny Fisher’s Call Me Earl not make the Final Field then, once again, we will be looking at a Terzi/Stidolph duel as the remaining 13 nominees represent their respective yards.

In my view this makes a mockery of the three-year-old Classics although it is a no-blame situation. Those who have sufficient suitable horses are going to nominate, while those who haven’t can only grin and bear it. Perhaps it is time for owners to consider spreading their horses around a bit more for the good of racing in the long term. Some will say the other yards must have three-year-olds with some ability, which they don’t choose to run. As we race so seldom at Borrowdale Park that is hard to accept.

Last month Phumelela axed a Durbanville meeting and switched to Port Elizabeth – a decision taken after 160 entries produced only 54 acceptors – and the smaller centre came up with 95 declarations for the substitute meeting. The Cape trainers were shocked and that matter is still not resolved.

Stan Elley, a recently retired trainer after 41 years, believes part of the problem lies with the 6 or so Cape Yards who have about 80 percent of the horses in training. Obviously Borrowdale, with its far smaller pool of horses, cannot be compared with the Western Cape but this clearly demonstrates that problems can and do arise when the playing field becomes seriously unbalanced.

I quote Stan Elley, completely out of context, but his remarks could be applied to Borrowdale in this instance. “Trainers have got to wake up. Owners have to as well and spread their horses around more, while I think there should be a limit on the number of horses each trainer is allowed.

“You cannot do anything about the trainers that have their own yards but you can with the rest. It has been done in P.E. and I believe in Durban too.”

This is a revolutionary idea as far as Borrowdale is concerned but today’s three-year-olds represent the future and we certainly do not need to end up with less training stables – they are too few and far between as it is.

The full report on the Cape story referred to above can be found athttp://www.sportingpost.co.za/20…/…/cape-horseracing-crisis/

It is well worth reading.

BELOW: Duffi’s Call won the 1600m Fillies Classic and then Pacifica (the grey) won the Zimbabwe Guineas. Which one will appreciate the extra 200m in Sunday’s TBA Silver Slipper?

Borrowdale Park has its fair share of tight finishes and the 2016 Zimbabwe Guineas was won by the grey filly, Pacifica, from Super Good – winning margin 0.05 lengths.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod

Delta Special held off more fancied stablemate Lake Nakuru (Derere) in the 1300m MR 50 Handicap at Borrowdale on Sunday.

Trained by Kirk Swanson and ridden by Ryan Munger, Delta Special is owned by Paul and Ursula Gorringe, John Koumides, Alan and Murray Smith, Gary Carter and Paula Lewis. The six -year-old son of Sobieski (USA) has now won four races.

The son of Astronomer Royal (AUS), David’s Flower, collected his third victory when winning the 1450m MR 70 Handicap at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

The five-year-old gelding is trained by Penny Fisher and is seen here with Alistair Fisher and Vanessa Birketoft. Ryan Munger was in the irons.

Pacifica, with Andrew Fortune up, won the 2016 Zimbabwe Guineas at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

The filly is trained by Gokhan Terzi and owned by Gengiz Goksel, Grant Littleford, Paul Rugg and Spencer Murray. Congratulations to all the connections on winning the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Dave Rosser accepted the Ipi Tombe Stakes trophy on behalf of the owners, who couldn’t be there. The winner, Principled Man, is owned by Messrs G. Goksel and T. J. Shawe and Mrs J.L. Paterson.

Louise Moor did the honours. Her husband, Peter Moor, bred Ipi Tombe at Golden Acres Stud in Zimbabwe.

Congratulations Gokhan Terzi for saddling the first two horses past the post in the MOTA Ipi Tombe Stakes at Borrowdale Park on Sunday.

Principled Man, with Andrew Fortune in the irons, finished 0.75 lengths clear of stable mate Eurakilon (Pagel), followed by Lucky Sam (Zechner) and Gentle Brook (Sibanda).

The Windrush (USA) gelding is owned by Messrs G.Goksel and T.J. Shawe, and Mrs J.L. Paterson.Terzi and Deon Mango appear with Principled Man (above). This was the five-year-old’s fifth win.

Lucky Sam won the 1600m Independence Trophy on April 5. He is followed by Killa Man.

We seldom have weight-for-age feature races at Borrowdale Park, but the $10 000 MOTA Ipi Tombe Stakes, to be run over 1600m on Sunday, is one of them.

Eleven horses have stood their ground and this includes Super Trouper who won this race last year, and Madigan, the 2014 winner.

No three-year-olds were entered so Tallie Two, Equina and Gentle Brook will all carry 57,5 kgs, while the remainder of the field, all geldings, are allotted 60 kgs.

If you like to keep things simple, choose the horses with the highest Merit Ratings, namely Lucky Sam, Equina, Super Trouper, Atso’s Scheme and Eurakilon, and you should win the quartet – if the handicapping is on the ball.  However, this is racing, always a mind game, so let’s see what some of the trainers think.

Penny Fisher saddled three winners at the last race meeting and she says her charge, Tallie Two, is very well and “in with a big chance.  There are several horses that could win this race, such as Principled Man and Atso’s Scheme, and one can never leave out Equina.”

Tallie Two, a four-year-old daughter of Soar With Eagles (USA), has won 5 races and is drawn 2.  Her regular jockey Ryan Munger rides.

Kirk Swanson will be represented by Madigan and Road To Dubai.   He says although the weight conditions of the race don’t suit these horses, “We decided to give Road to Dubai a go at the 1600m. There are very few sprint races available for him so we want to see how he goes back round the turn. He did run second over further than 1600m as a three-year old, so he definitely can see out the trip. He has a good draw so I am hoping he can give them some cheek.”

Road to Dubai has covered himself with glory in sprints recently and has now won 7 races.  Francois Herholdt rides the four-year-old gelding again and he has drawn 3.

Of Madigan Kirk says “he loves the mile and normally runs well in the softer conditions, so he could be an outsider to consider, having won the race before. At the weights Lucky Sam and Equina are well in and would probably be the two horses to beat, but I think it will be an interesting race.”

Madigan, a Zimbabwe Triple Crown winner, has won 10 races and will be ridden by Norbert Takawira who knows the seven-year-old well. They jump from the number 7 starting stall.

Gokhan Terzi reports that his main race runners are doing very well.  “Eurakilon has a big chance but will find this 1600m a little on the short side, which is why I have decided to put blinkers on him. He should be in the top four.”

He says Super Trouper “can beat this field if he feels like it. He put up a very good grass gallop on Monday, so I’m expecting him to be competitive. “

“Principled Man is Andrew Fortune’s elect. He will be a big runner despite being out at the weights. He is distance suited and Andrew knows him well.  All three of my runners will be involved in the finish. I just hope one of them can put his head down when it matters

As for the possible dangers Gokhan says “Atso’s Scheme is now in good form.  Road To Dubai and Lucky Sam should also be thereabouts.”

Lance Pagel rides Eurakilon (a six-year-old) who showed his paces when finishing a very close second to Print The Pounds over 1800m on January 16.  This pair will be hoping for better luck this time and are drawn 4. The son of Classic Flag has won 5 races.

Super Trouper could be the one they all have to beat – and they won’t be sure he’s beaten until the very last stride because this eight-year-old, by West Man (USA),has a flying finish. Brendon McNaughton, who teams up well with this 12-time winner, will be in the irons and Super Trouper has drawn 11.

Principled Man by Windrush (USA) is a winner over the Ipi Tombe distance and it is significant that Fortune takes the ride. Drawn 9, the five-year-old has won four races, and will have supporters on Sunday.

Unfortunately I was unable to get comments from the Stidolph and Bronkhorst yards both of whom are fielding fancied runners. Bridget Stidolph will saddle Lucky Sam, Atso’s Scheme and Mica Point, while Amy Bronkhorst is responsible for Equina and Gentle Brook.

Zimbabwe’s top race mare Equina, needs no introduction.  Her 12 wins include the Castle Tankard and OK Grand Challenge, and she is always a force to be reckoned with. Now a six-year-old, the daughter of Silvano (GER) will be ridden by Apprentice Callan Murray and is drawn 5.

Gentle Brook, by Windrush (USA) is an 8-time winner at five years, unplaced lately but usually not far back. Nikki Sibanda rides on Sunday and Gentle Brook is drawn 8.

Lucky Sam runs off a merit rating of 97 and all eyes will be on this five-year-old gelding, by Imperial Stride(GB) out of a Jallad mare. He has won six races, including the 1900m Republic Cup and at his best can be formidable. Karl Zechner will be riding Lucky Sam who is drawn 1.

The four-year-old Atso’s Scheme ran second to Picalilly over 1300m at the last meeting and has won over the mile. This four-time winner is drawn 10 and will be ridden by Fanie Chambers.

This will be the second run after a break for Mica Point, a four-year-old son of West Man (USA) and winner of two races. Kevin Derere has the ride and Mica Point has drawn 6.

We are looking at a top-class field with many claims to fame, but don’t ask me to name the winner.

Photograph: Gavin Macleod.  Lucky Sam won the 1600m Independence Trophy in April 2015, followed by Killa Man.

Ipi Tombe going down to the start of the Vodacom Durban July Handicap

…and a chance to relive that dream

MOTA’s $10 000 Ipi Tombe Stakes will be run over 1600m at Borrowdale Park on Sunday, February 14. Fourteen horses have been nominated, including last year’s winner, Super Trouper, and if he stands his ground this people pleaser is quite capable  of doing it again.

The Fisher yard saddled three winners at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – which was Penny Fisher’s comeback meeting as a trainer in her own rignt.  Apprentice Callan Murray rode Setswana and Ryan Munger the others. 

Rank outsider Setswana won the 1900m Maiden Plate, and Arrowfield scored in the 1700m MR 55 Handicap – both these horses are owned by Julie Zieve and John Koumides.

The cherry on the top came when Picalilly (below) held off Atso’s Scheme, Approval Rating and Road To Dubai in the 1300m Open Handicap, last race of the day. The four-year-old Gharir (IRE) filly is owned and was bred by Sarah Lumsden, and has now won five races.

Picalilly won 1300m Open Handicap with Ryan Munger in the irons.

Duffi’s Call overtakes hot favourite Pacifica close to the finish. Hunyani and Second Guessing followed. Photograph Gavin MacLeod

Duffi’s Call, a daughter of AP Answer , won the Fillies Classic at Borrowdale Park on Sunday afternoon.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph, Duffi’s Call is a full-sister to Print The Pounds, also in the Stidolph yard. Print The Pounds won the 2015 Fillies Classic and has gone on to do greater things.