The new kid on the Borrowdale Park block, Thomas Mason of Tomcat Racing, saddled three winners at the Sunshine Cup meeting on Saturday. Quite an achievement with such a small string in an 8-race card.
Of course, the cherry on top came when Rawedge held off Arte in a thrilling finish to the 2700m Sunshine Cup – winning margin 0.05 lengths – with top weight Heir Line only a length behind.
Borrowdale correspondent Sheldene Chant writes that giving credit where due Thomas says Apprentice Ashton Arries rode a clever race.
Rawedge (Ashton Arries) holds off Arte (Wes Marwing) in a humdinger of a finish (Pic – Andrew Philip)
“Rawedge jumped out and stayed at the back until the start of the back straight when Ashton realised the pace was slowing down. He let Rawedge cruise up and take over the running at the 1800m mark. He set an even pace, taking advantage of the light weight. Just before the turn he kicked for home, catching the others off guard and they had to make up ground while carrying more weight.”
Before the race there was some speculation about who would set the pace and the Kirk Swanson trained Heir Line (Hennie Greyling) went to the front and stayed in touch all the way despite carrying 60 kgs.
Victorious trainer Tom Mason (Pic – Zimbabwe Equine News)
His stable companion, Arte (Wes Marwing), came from a long way back to engage in a fight for the finish with Rawedge. Both Heir Line and Arte were gallant in defeat and did well for their stable. Arte, a six-year-old mare by Ideal World (USA) gave the winner 6.5 kgs.
By Ravishing out of a Jallad (USA) mare, Rawedge is an eight-year-old gelding, and this was his ninth victory. He was bred by Dr G. Batz and Mr C. Batz, and is owned by Joseph Muya, Anna Mason and Bridget Parham Field. Mr Mr Muya and Mrs Mason are based in Kenya, and Mrs Parham-Field is out of Zimbabwe at present, so they missed out on the on-course excitement.
Congratulations to the winning connections. Your horse did you proud.
Earlier in the afternoon Tomcat Racing scored with Crown Brewed (Serino Moodley) in a 1200m MR 50 Handicap, and Battle Cry (Arries) was involved in a tight finish with Prairie Sky in a 1700m MR 55 Handicap.
Both the Gokhan Terzi and Swanson yards had two winners apiece – and not content with winning Kirk Swanson’s runners filled most of the minor places behind his winners. Bridget Stidolph scored with Enter The Dragon (Jarred Lee Samuel) in the 1200m Maiden Plate with Thomas Mason’s charge, Farm Yard Tractor (Arries), three-parts of a length behind.
Despite the unexpectedly cold weather this was an afternoon of enjoyable racing and a great beginning to Borrowdale’s 2019/20 season.
