The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo
DOMESTIC horse racing for the year 2019/20 season, which starts on 7 September at the ceremonial home Borrowdale Park Racecourse is shining like a beacon in the horizon.
According to our early warning device which is the racing programme pushed out by Mashonaland Turf Club (MTC), the 1 000m Air Force of Zimbabwe Handicap Race, the First Leg Sprinter Series is the first competition when the season gets underway.
Interested stables are expected to submit their nominees for all the races set for the day on the nominations day which is 28 August.
After they have been received as is the norm they will be required to go through all pre-race qualifying stages which are to be followed by the final acceptances on Monday 2 September.
Once the final list is known MTC are expected to compile as well as print the race card around Wednesday the same week, paving way for the punters to start gleaning for their possible winners after going through the career record of both the horse plus the trainers.
Alongside this feature race are a number of minor competitions to warm the racecourse before the big guns set it on fire for the big prize which is the AFZ Handicap, a charity race.
Vanessa Birketoft former assistant trainer to Penny Fisher stable for several years, is going to work under trainer Gokhan Terzi while looking after her satellite yard V Racing.
According to Fisher, who has called it a day the majority of the horses formerly with her will be moved over to this new kid on the block.
Work on the turf mainly focusing on identifying as well as patching-up all dangerous areas is currently underway according to the racing manager Betina Gurajena.
There is a lot of anticipation among the racing community following the coming in of a new sponsor for some events.
The Summer Cup in addition to the after racing famous band which is expected to soothe enthusiasts on their feet after a hectic day of sitting while watching connections battle it out on the turf is part of the programme this year.
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