According to the latest statistics released by the Mashonaland Turf Club, the $24,000 stakes garnered from the OK Grand Challenge win has seen Yer-Maan’s stakes rise to $519,000, far more than Equina has amassed to date. That came after Yer-Maan had also collected $30,000 for winning the Castle Tankard.
The stake money in question includes what has been accumulated both in Zimbabwe and back home in South Africa. Most of the horses that race in Grade One and Grade Two races at the home of Zimbabwe horse racing are from South Africa.
Equina, in second position, has so far accumulated $503,400 after the running of the OK Grand Challenge. Equina’s record stands at nine wins and seven placings in 26 races, and received $2,400 for coming fourth in the Challenge. She had earlier received $800 for her fifth placing in the Tankard.
The Amy Bronkhorst-trained Equina has failed to reproduce her form of last season and apart from the Zimbabwe National Army Handicap won on October 5, there is nothing else for her to show for so far this season.
The St John Gray-owned and trained Yer-Maan, who campaigns under the Ghokan Terzi yard when in Zimbabwe, has 10 wins and 10 placings in 36 runs. Seven-year-old Super Trooper, the oldest horse at Borrowdale in the absence of Zimbabwe’s own Captain’s Tiger, is in third position on the stakes list. The son of West Man and Queen of Dance has a total of $382,000, having raced in 55 events. Super Trooper has 11 wins and 13 placings. Zimbabwe’s Thriller in Manila is way down the pecking order with a total of $136,000. However, the four-year-old gelding has raced in only 13 races with a record of four wins and six placings.
Thriller in Manila who was second in the Challenge when ridden by Kevin Derere received $8,000 for his effort. Thriller in Manila is under the Amy Bronkhorst stable and is groomed by Lawrence Tsurudzo.
All the horses, however, are hoping to gain ground when the $40,000 Republic Cup takes centre stage on July 11. The Republic Cup is the third and last major race at Borrowdale Racecourse.
The Republic Cup is third after the Castle Tankard and the OK Grand Challenge. Lucky Sam who was a disappointing last in the OK Grand Challenge is the defending Republic Cup champion after beating Equina to the tape last season.
Post published in: Sport