There was a happy moment for trainer Thomas Mason at Borrowdale Park Racecourse at 3pm yesterday after his Action Zone won the 2000 metre Castle Tankard and with it the $25 000 winner's cheque.
Mason will remember most the manner in which the son of Captain Noir and Maritime Mist taught his rivals a galloping lesson in the last 30 metres of the race in fending off the challenge of Jaeger Moon and Master Tik Tok as they faced the tap.
Mason will also have to thank Matthew Thackeray his preferred jockey for Action Zone for giving an assured performance on the saddle in the contest which drew 15 runners.
With the race seemingly heading Jaeger Moon's way and Master Tik Tok and My Secret Place strongly in the chase, Thackery asked for a response from Action Zone and the brown gelding did not disappoint in response to that call for action.
The Castle Tankard win gives Action Zone a career total of 10 wins and 10 placings in 22 runs, meaning he has not given punters financial pickings in only two of his races.
In fact, Action Zone has been growing from strength to strength over the past 10 months, winning four of his five starts.
For coming second Jaeger Moon gave hid connections $12 500 while there was also $7 500 for the taking for Master Tik Tok who came third in the gruelling race
Jaeger Moon who was ridden by Deryl Daniels is trained by Debra Swanson while Master Tik Tok is from the Amy Parham stable and had Nathan Klink as the pilot.
- ‘Banks letting down farmers’
- Zimra targets US$ tax evaders
- Zimbabwe on the brink: Living in fragile peace
- Seven Seas wins OK Grand Challenge
Keep Reading
There was a financial reward too of $5000 for My Secret Place from the Parham stable who finished fourth when ridden by Malesela Katjedi.
The disappointment of the race, though, was crowd favourite Ideal View from the Debra Swanson yard who could not manage a place or even a quartet inish to the dismay of punters.
All in all, the race attracted a field of 15 runners including regular campaigners, Citrusidal, Majestic Warrior, Wantage and of course Ideal View.
Sadly, though, Zimbabwe did not field any contestant as the country is failing to produce quality horses capable of challenging for titles like The Castle Tankard in the manner in which the late great Ipi Tombe and Stay Alert did.
The next big event on the Zimbabwean horse racing calendar is the OK Grand Challenge earmarked for June 7 but there are doubts whether it will be held this year.
However, it is confirmed, though, that the last of the ' Big Three' - the 1900 metre Republic Cup - will be held as usual in July although the exact date is still to be announced.
