Gokhan Terzi on left with Jackie Cocksedge, presenting trophy obo Zimbabwe TBA. On the left is co-owner Gengiz Goksel (Pic: Gavin McLeod)
Rock The Country won the US$ 9500 Breeders Champions Cup, run over 2000m at Borrowdale Park on Sunday – for the second year in succession. At the 1400m mark newcomer to Borrowdale, Two Gun Kid, had established himself as the early leader with Gentle Brook and Killa Man close behind, writes Sheldene Chant.
Coming into the home straight Killa Man went for the rails and hit the front only to be overtaken by Gentle Brook, who held on gamely until Rock The Country, followed by Orbit War, exploded from midfield – and it was game over. Rock The Country, partnered by Apprentice Wesley Marwing, won by three lengths. Orbit War was 1.25 lengths clear of a fast finishing Demitasse, with Gentle Brook in fourth place.
Trained by Gokhan Terzi, Rock The Country, a six-year-old gelding by Western Winter, was bred by Hallmark Thoroughbreds. He is owned by Messrs G. Goksel, K. Monien and S. Osman, and Gengiz Goksel was there to accept the trophy from Jackie Cocksedge of the Zimbabwe Thoroughbred Breeders Association
It was an exciting race thanks to Two Gun Kid setting a fast pace, but not entirely without incident. Captain’s Tiger was withdrawn by the veterinary surgeon at the start (lame right fore). Copper Bay was slow out of the stalls and then refused to gallop.
Trainer Bridget Stidolph and the in-form Derreck David share a moment with Detective Casey (Pic: Gavin McLeod)
The 2400m MR60 Handicap was also worth watching. Downton Twilight and Captain Grant battled for the early lead with the latter eventually settling for second until he went for his rails run. It appeared he would have things his own way but at the 300m mark Detective Casey took control and won like a champion, well clear of Captain Grant, Supa Dupa and Fire Fury.
My suggestion that Sin Latigo would once again relish this trip was sadly amiss as Fanie Chambers’ mount finished 20 lengths back – and the Quartet paid US$ 15 879.30.
Detective Casey gave the Bridget Stidolph/Derreck David combination their second winner as the Horse Chestnut filly, Hunyani, won the first race of the day, a 1000m Maiden Juvenile Plate. Owned by Mrs I. Jooste and Mr M.J. Jooste, Detective Casey, by Casey Tibbs, has now won three races and was bred by Klawervlei Stud.
Hunyani dominated her race throughout, despite large-ditch efforts by Yesterday Man and Caribbean. She is owned by Robin Bruss and Alastair Pulford, and bred by Adv. A.P. Joubert.
Apprentice Serino Moodley and Gotago are led in by Thomas Mason, Lovemore Gumachataika and Tim Swanson (Pic: Rosie Dorward)
Apprentice Serino Moodley picked up a chance ride on Gotago in the 1200m MR 75 Handicap and it became a winning one. This is Moodley’s second winner since moving to Zimbabwe.
Gotago, by Kitalpha (USA) has now won six races, and is trained by Kirk Swanson. The six-year-old gelding is owned by Amanda and Heinrich von Pezold, John Koumides and C. John Smith.
At the 15th time of asking the A P Arrow filly, Arrowfield, shed her maiden certificate in fine style in the 1600m Maiden Plate for fillies and mares. This was Derreck David’s third winner and he began moving the filly into contention when approaching the home turn. Soon after the 400m mark it was clear this was Arrowfield’s day.
She was saddled by Assistant trainer Penny Fisher of Gee Racing, bred by Northfields Stud (Pty) Ltd, and is owned by Julie Zieve, John Koumides and Robin Bruss.
Glastonbury, with Apprentice Collen Storey in the saddle, was an easy winner of the 1100m MR 55 Handicap. The Right Approach gelding has now completed a hat trick of wins at Borrowdale. He was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and is owned by Messrs F.N. Englezakis and R.P. Macnab.
Amas Amat draws clear with Fransie Naude up (Pic: Gavin McLeod)
The Corne Spies yard scored again with Amas Amat, who beat stablemate Full Court home by three-parts of a length in the 1200m Maiden Plate – supposedly the get-out stakes. Both started at 40/1 and not surprisingly the Pick Six was not won. Mr T. Spies owns both horses and Francois Naude was riding the winner. Amas Amat, by National Emblem, was bred by Klawervlei Stud.
The next Borrowdale Park meeting is on Sunday, February 22, and will feature the Zimbabwe Guineas – first leg of the Zimbabwe Triple Crown.
