The field features three of this season’s major title winners in Mica Point (2), the Zimbabwean-bred winner of the Guineas Trial, who also finished in the Bloodstock South Africa – won by Merhaba (12), who is also in the race for the Zimbabwe Derby title.
Not to be left out is the Zimbabwean filly Tallie Two (9) from the Alyson Wright yard, who not only won the Zimbabwe Republic Police Fillies Stakes, but also the Graduation Plate that drew the best from her generation.
Tallie Two and Mica Point are the only Zimbabwean fieldings in the Derby and should put up a strong Zimbabwean challenge for a competition that is in their country’s name. However, the duo should be wary of the threat of Ghokan Terzi’s Merhaba. The Bloodstock South African title winner comes from a stable that is on a roll, after Lucky Sam’s success in the Independence Trophy.
Ironically, Lucky Sam is holder of the 2014 Bloodstock South Africa title, which Merhaba won this season and the younger of the Terzi horses should be able to continue that celebration by winning the Zimbabwe Derby.
Terzi has so much interest in the stake money offered in the race to the extent that he has nominated River Waltz (7), Latin Queen (3) and Primadora (4) to strengthen her fight for the title.
Not to be outdone is Cornie Spies, who has nominated the highest number of horses of five, including one named Holderstebolder (13). There is also All The Birds (1), Lincoln Can (5), Second Light(11) and Argodaba (6).
Apart from Mica Point, Bridget Stidolph has also declared Rock Prince (8) while Janie Blignaut has settled for Spanish Metador (10).
The Triple Crown is a Series of contests for three-year-olds, with the overall winner declared at the end of the Series. The 13 entries for this race are all top class horses and that puts on the table a potentially explosive competition for race-goers and probably good financial pickings for punters.
Post published in: Sport