The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo
PREPARATIONS for the 2016 Edition of the Zimbabwe Derby Grade (3) race, the third of the Triple Crown are gathering momentum. This 2 400m long event is set for next weekend at Borrowdale Race Course. There is a prize money of $8 000 to be given to the winner and the three runners-up. Mashonaland Turf Club has released a provisional list of 10 horses
that are vying for a place in the final.
Trainer Gokhan Terzi has entered Betular Uber merit rated 60, Finlay (66), ladies First (59) and Sky (52). If everything goes according to plan Bridget Stidolp is planning to saddle Détente merit rated 68, Mathematician (88), Princess Of Rock (39) and Super Good (83).
The 10th runner among this list is Slick (60) which campaigns under the watchful eye of trainer Amy Bronkhorst. However, this will depend on all the entries passing the usual two qualifying stages, the weight and draws stage and the final acceptance stage according to an MTC official.
For this gruelling race taking into account the distance, horses will have to go round all the four curves of the oval shaped race course before the final 600m run-in.
This distance is ideal for the horses that can endure. For those that are at home over shorter distances, the sprinters, this might prove a difficult assignment.
1n 2015 a lean field of eight runners cantered post wards for the winners prize which was scooped by Merhaba and delivered to the Gokhan Terzi stable.
Jockey Wes Marwing was the pilot on the day leading his bird to clear 2400m in 2minutes 33.47 seconds to beat the Mica Point by 0.10 Lengths in a tightly contested race.
According to the programme seven events will be hosted on the day and to date there are 113 nominations all fighting for a place.
Meanwhile the 2016 edition of the Uhuru Trophy race held at Borrowdale Race Course last Sunday was won by Eurakilon from the stable of Gokhan Terzi. Regular Jockey Lance Pagel was calling the shots from the saddle.
Eurakilon arrived home in a record time of 1minute 37.25 seconds to lift the top gong.
Enties, for Sunday 24 April 2016
Zimbabwe Derby (Grade 3) Stakes $8 000, 2 400m
1. Betula Uber Gokhan Terzi 60
2. Detente Bridget Stidolp 68
3. Finlay Gokhan Terzi 66
4. Ladies First Gokhan Terzi 59
5. Magnificent Mile Gokhan Terzi 64
6. Mathematician Bridget Stidolp 88
7. Princess of Rock Bridget Stidolp 39
8. Sky Gokhan Terzi 52
9. Slick (Zim) Amy Bronkhorst 60
10. Super Good Bridget Stidolp 83
