Horse racing season begins

Sport
The Borrowdale Park Racecourse 2015/16 horse racing season roars to life this afternoon with the cream of the crop facing the starters.

The Borrowdale Park Racecourse 2015/16 horse racing season roars to life this afternoon with the cream of the crop facing the starters.

By Michael Kariati

The top horses from last season and those from years before have been spread all over the seven races carded for the day in what should be an exciting season opener.

The card includes several big fields and these should ensure big payouts to punters who have missed the Borrowdale Park Racecourse for the six weeks that racing has been on break.

There is $47 900 for the taking in stake money to be fought for by a strong field of 76 horses. Initially, the day had attracted 110 horses but 34 of them failed to go past the final acceptance.

With horses such as Super Trooper, Sido, Madigan, Thriller in Manila, Rocket Runner, Prince Fireball, Menacing, and Supa Dupa, all in the run in different races, it is surely a mouthwatering line up.

The highlight of the afternoon is the main feature race the Commander Airforce of Zimbabwe Borrowdale Sprint which pits three of the oldest horses at the course: Super Trooper, Alula Borealis and Glastonbury over 1 000 metres.

The horse that is likely to pose a serious challenge to the trio is the gelding, five year-old Thriller in Manila, who has been improving with each outing. There are, however, others that also stand out — horses like Gentle Brook and Approval Rating.

The other feature race is the TelOne Merit Rated 75 Handicap to be contested over 1 600 metres. There are 13 horses in the Open field, but the horses to watch should be the seasoned Two Gun Kid, Madigan, Menacing and Got A Hold On Me who are regular campaigners over this distance.

Apprentice Callan Murray takes a ride on Amy Bronkhorst’s Vice Admiral in the Liquid Telecoms Merit Rated 55 Handicap. Vice Admiral has been punished for his good form and is carrying a heavy 62kg.

He, however, still retains the favourite’s tag and should fancy his chances with his strongest challenge likely to come from Bridget Stidolph’s Neptune’s Rock and Stirling Road from the Kirk Swanson yard.

Two Maiden Plate races also add to the excitement of the day. These are for horses that are yet to win a race and are hoping for their first ever first finish.