Only 14 horses competed for the 2012 race, which the overwhelming favourite won comfortably. But the field is expected to be even bigger this year, with more and more South African horses registering to campaign in Zimbabwean events that offer highly competitive rewards. Earl of Surrey, from the Lisa Harris yard, took home $24,000, which is not very far from what the Grade One races are offering in South Africa.
Mike Van Blerk of the Mashonaland Turf Club Stewards said the high stakes had prompted more owners and trainers to nominate their horses for these feature events. He hoped for a big nomination for the OK Grand Challenge.
Ideally, a field of between 18-20 horses could offer an exciting and nail-biting finale and a wide selection for punters, instead of the predictably same old horses on the course every time.
The likes of Kirk Swanson’s Captain’s Tiger, Madigan and Eight Street, Lisa Harris’ Arula Borealis, Sebastien D’Aquino’s Burmese Cat and Pressure, who also participated in 2012, are likely to be in the 2013 OK Grand Challenge party.
Top South African horses like Emperor Augustus and Yer-Maan were also set to make an appearance after they were scratched two days before the Castle Tankard event. Baracah had to withdraw on the eve of the race, after being injured in transit to Harare from South Africa.
Although it was still not clear if Baracah had recovered for the shorter OK Grand Challenge, there had been confirmation of a large number of foreign horses lined up to take part, including Alyson Wright’s A King Is Born and Ginepri. The 2013 event is the 25th edition of the annual race that takes place at the Mashonaland Turf Club.
Post published in: Sport