The Lisa Harris-trained horse drawn on seven and carrying a weight of 62kg justified his billing as favourite with a finish ahead of Code Rock, Burnse Cat and House of Wax. Earl of Surray was the 5-2 favourite on the opening day of betting and remained so before the race with Mabigan rated as the only threat but that was not the case as Mabigan the horse of the moment and 2012 Triple Crown winner was never a threat at all.
Mabigan from the Kirk Swanson yard was the disappointment of the race as he was not even among the top four finishers.
The horse, which was heavily tipped to give Earl of Surray stiff competition and with Corner Offer on the saddle finished in the midfield to send book makers and punters into rethinking.
Instead it was Cord Rock from the Alyson Wright stable who gave punters another headache with a second finish after having won the 2000m Castle Tankard Race. Cord Rock, with Francoise Herholgt giving directions, could have upset the apple cut but in the end it was Earl of Surray’s day.
Earl of Surray won the Triple Crown in 2006 and has continued the fine form with the OK Grand Challenge title – the most followed horse racing event in Zimbabwe.
The OK Grand Challenge, which is sponsored to the tune of US$40 000 is a Grade 2 race just behind the Castle Tankard which is the only Grade 1 race in Zimbabwe.
