Gold Sprint preparations in full swing

Mandla Moyo

Preparations for the HRIB Gold Sprint Grade Three race set for running at Borrowdale race course on December 1 are in full swing.

There is US$15 000 at stake to be shared amongst the winner and the three placed runners up.

The local horse racing Authority Mashturf Club has stepped up preparations for the 1200m sprint event by pushing out a 13 horse’s nominations list that will compete for all the available slots come race day.

The size of the final field is yet to be determined however, from the entries submitted at the close on nomination deadline on November 21 by the stables the card is awash with a lot of talented runners who carry impressive ratings.

Trainer Bridget Stidolp has the highest number of entries after throwing seven nominees into the hat to battle for places.

From her yard is the highly rated Coachella who comes along with a merit rating of 103, Bush Pilot (83), Butchie Boy (79), Flanders (81), Peggson (83),  Twilight Trip (73) and lastly SUPER Good (91).

Another veteran trainer Kirk Swanson has pushed out Kingston Passage merit rated 91 alongside Road To Dubai (80) and Edward The Seventh (76).

The last trainer to squeeze in a few runners completing the list is Penny Fisher who also submitted a lean list of thirteen athletes equines.

Fisher forwarded into the provisional list  Lady Carina who has a merit rating of 67, Strategic Power (65) and Tar Heel (91).

According to the racing programme made available by Mashturf Club, all stakeholders that is jockeys, trainers and other staff will converge on the race course on November 29 for the weight and draws stage.

After the draws the racing card is expected to be pushed out paving way for the punters to start searching for their possible winners from the final list.

Entries: Bush Pilot,Bridget Stidolp   83; Butchie Boy, Bridget Stidolp 78; Coacchella, Bridget Stidolp 103;  Edward the Seventh Kirk Swanson  76; 0 Flanders  Bridget Stidolp 81; Kingston Passage Kirk Swanson 91; Lady Carina Penny Fisher 67; Peggson Bridget Stidolp 83; Roard To Dubai  Kirk Swanson 80; Stratehic Power Penny Fisher 65; Super Good Bridget Stidolp 97; Tar Heel Penny Fisher 91; Twilight Trip Bridget Stidolp 73.