IT was all smiles for Borrowdale Race Course punters after heavily unfavoured horses took the placings in the 2 000 metre Breeders Champions Cup, dishing out huge figures in the process.
By Michael Kariati
In fact, so far this season the Breeders Champions Cup has been the highest paying race at Borrowdale Race Course, offering over US$9 000 in the quartet from as little as a dollar.
Although the winning horse Rock the Country sold at 8/1 after opening at 10/1, it was second- placed Orbit War who closed at 14/1 and third-placed Demitasse at 20/1 who contributed greatly to the huge cash payouts.
Ironically, Orbit War was at 10/1 and Demitasse at 12/1 when betting opened but pushed up their selling prices heavily just before betting closed on race day.
The hugely-favoured Gentle Brook, who on his part had opened betting at 28/10 and closed at 5/2 could only manage a fourth placing and contributed only in the quartet which was at a high $9 501 for every dollar the punter placed.
The trifecta for the top three placed horses was at $757,60 for those who parted with their dollar in favour of Rock the Country, Orbit War and Demitasse.
There were also good figures in the swingers with the combination of Rock the Country and Orbit Way paying out $13,50. Those who combined Rock the Country and Demitasse received $44,30. Orbit War and Demitasse were also at a huge $36,90.
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The totalisator win for Rock the Country was $6,30. Rock the Country was a clear 3,00 lens over Orbit War after finishing the race in an impressive 2 minutes, 03,63 seconds for another title to trainer Ghokan Terzi.
For winning the race Rock the Country got $5 700 of the $9 500 stake money. Orbit War was at $1 900 and Demitasse at $1 188. Gentle Brook and her combinations received $712
Demitasse is a Zimbabwean bred horse while Rock the Country is from South Africa and Orbit War from Argentina.
Ironically, all the top four horses were from different stables. The order of finish was Terzi, Alyson Wright, Bridget Stidolph and Amy Bronkhorst.
Eight-year-old gelden Captain’s Tiger from the Alyson Wright yard which was supposed to have been ridden by Francois Naudse missed out after he was scratched at the last minute, leaving 11 horses to contest the 2 000 metre race.
Very disappointing was Copper Bay from the Kirk Swanson stable. The South Africa five-year-old son of Mulins Bay and Copper Tone was well-drawn at five and carried 54kg but well in last position in a distance in which he normally fares well.
Another of the favourites — Too Gun Kid — who was a bookmaker favourite at 7/2 was also disappointing as he could only manage a ninth finish, just two places from bottom place.
Racing returns at Borrowdale Race Course on February 23 with the staging of the Zimbabwe Guineas.
