The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo
IT is all systems go at Borrowdale Race Course in Harare this afternoon when 10 horses take to the turf in the Champion Juvenile stakes Grade 3 race over 1 200m at 15.45 for a declared prize money of $9 000.
However, the first partnership to break the tape will open its saddle bag to receive $5 400 leaving the three runners-up with a reward of $1 800, $1125 and $675 respectively.
Considering that the accepted two-year-old juveniles would be competing for the first time, punters will have a difficult time in trying to come out with the fastest juvenile and the runners-up.
Every team likes to give its best jockey the reins of the horse with the biggest chance of either winning the competition or pushing for a place finish.
For that reason it is interesting to note that Zimbabwe’s five time champion Quinton Riddle has opted to saddle Call Me Earl a local bred runner from the stable of Alyson Wright.
Sizzling hot apprentice jockey Wes Marwing Gokhan Terzi stable will saddle Demagogue as his best weapon for this competition.
Therefore the presence of these two top jockeys must indeed ring a bell or two in every punter’s ear ahead of the race this afternoon.
Another point to note is that the Bridget Stidolp stable is popular for producing world class runners since the days of her mentor Lisa Harris, so punters need to take Rocky Road seriously. This also applies to Demagogue by Terzi and the trio from the stable of the battle hardened trainer Cornie Spies, Paulus, AP Ikhaja and Scandal.
However, punters must remember that when the stall gates open anything can happen. All the seven male horses and the three fillies counter parts have an equal chance of winning this race.
The only plus for the female runners is that they will stride down the turf carrying 55.5 kilogrammes, 2,5 kilogrammes lighter than their male rival who will carry 58 kilogrammes.
From the nominations list submitted last week only one horse failed to make it through to the final, Go Galaxy by Seb D’Aquino.
This afternoon 96 runners will defend the colours of their stables.
This race meeting is a charity race day for the University of Zimbabwe, held to celebrate the institutions 60th anniversary and proceeds will be used for student’s scholarships.
Meanwhile, the Republic Cup Grade (3) race, the seventh leg of the open series, that was initially set for 11 July at Borrowdale Race Course has been moved forward by a day at the same venue.
Champion Juvenile Stakes field
1. 2 Al Salaam 58.0 0 S ……. Bridget Stidolph
2. 9 Call Me Early (ZIM) 58.0 0 S Q riddle Alyson Wright
3. 3 Demagogue 58.0 0 A Wes Marwing Gokhan Terzi
4. 4 Equiano 58.0 0 S M Thackray Amy Bronkhorst
5. 6 Paint It Black (ZIM) 58.0 0 A R Danielson Alyson Wright
6. 5 Paulus 58.0 0 A D frank Corne Spies
7. 8 Rocky Road (ZIM) 58.0 0 S F Herholdt Bridget Stidolph
8. 7 A P Ikhaja 55.5 0 S Kudumba Corne Spies
9. 1 Scandal 55.5 0 BA S Moodley Corne Spies
10. 10 Starry Notions (ZIM) 55.5 0 S JP v’ Merwe Amy Bronkhorst
Tips
Race 1: 3 Tail Wind, 4 Burg’s Overtune, 2 Alice, 7 promising
Race 2: 5 Maturin, 8 Walton heath, 7 Nuggets, 1 Montelupo
Race 3: 10 Thriller In Manila, 1 Gentle Brook, 2 King Kahal, 3 Quick Glance
Race 4: 4 Supa dupa, 7 Flying cross, 12 Heron Boy, 11 Star Dance
Race 5: 8 Confabulate, 11 Setswana, 5 Bachata, 3 Spanish Matador
Race 6: 8 Fig Jam, 4 Copper Bay, 1 Tallie Two, 6 Second Light
Race 7: 3 Demagogue, 9 Call Me Early, 8 Rocky Road, 5 Paulus
Race 8: 10 Supa Challenge, 8 Young Antwun, 12 Chestnust Girl, 6 Major Vaughan.
