15 horses for Uhuru race

Mandla Moyo Horse Racing Correspondent
THE final list of horses to battle for the 2016 edition of the Independence Trophy race, the fourth leg Open series, set for next Sunday at Borrowdale Race Course is out.

Mashonaland Turf Club has unveiled an impressive list featuring 15 horses that will jump into the trenches and fight to the bitter end during this year’s edition of the Uhuru Cup to be run over 1 600m. Already declared is $8 000 in stakes money to be shared between the winner and the three placed birds to fly past the winning post on the race day. Horses that have made their way into the provisional list are Approval Rating rated 96, Eurakilon at 95, Glorious Jet 99, and Rock The Country all from the stable of Gokhan Terzi.

On the other hand trainer Bridget Stidolp will be hoping that her nominees led by Lucky Sam (91), Atso’s Scheme (90), Duffi’s Call (77) and Print The Pounds (88) all sail through the two qualifying stages.

From the yard of Penny Fisher comes Call Me Earl a Zimbabwean bred runner with a merit rating 85, Picalilly (Zimz0 (89), Lava Flow (83) and Tallie Two (82).

Up next is trainer Amy Bronkhorst with two entries in the form of Equina (91), Eversolucky (82) and Gentle Brook (77).

Last year the race was won by Lucky Sam who flew past the finishing post in a time of 1min 35.38 sec to win the 2015 Original Genuine Lotto Since 1999 Independence Trophy race.

According to the MTC Racing manager Betina Gurajuena the final acceptances will be done on Monday 4 April at the race course.

“The weight and draws stage was conducted on Thursday and the final list will be tomorrow, thereafter we expect to print the race card which will be out on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately there will be no other activities lined up for the day other than the seven races”, said Gurajena.

So far a total of 106 horses are still in the running for places in all the seven races that will be held on the day.

Independence Trophy Race 1 600m

1. APPROVAL RATING Gokhan Terzi 96

2. ATSO’S SCHEME Bridget Stidolp 90

3. CALL ME EARL (ZIM) Penny Fisher 85

4. DUFFI’S CALL Bridget Stidolp 77

5. EQUINA Amy Bronkhorst 91

6. EURAKILON Gokhan Terzi 95

7. EVERSOLUCKY Amy Bronkhorst 82

8. GENTLE BROOK Amy Bronkhorst 77

9. GLORIOUS JET Gokhan Terzi 99