malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
RAFFLES romped to victory in the 2 000-metre Castle Tankard and gave his connections US$25 000 to share at Borrowdale Racecourse yesterday.
The connections are the owners, the jockey, the trainer and the groomer
Raffles was ridden by Borrowdale Racecourse regular Gavin Lerena. He was trained by the racecourse’s resident trainer, Bridget Stidolph.
In second place was Majestic Warrior, ridden Deryl Daniels, who pocketed US$12 000.
It was a good day for trainer Stidolph, whose horse, Wantage, finished third, bagging US$7 000. Stidolph, who has produced a number of big winners at the racecourse, was thrilled with her latest win.
“I am absolutely over the moon and it is unbelievable. I need to watch the replay to see what actually happened,” she said.
She revealed that getting the winning horse was a gamble that paid off.
“It was a gamble and thank you to Gavin, thank you to the owners and thank you to the trainer in South Africa,” said Stidolph.
Raffles’ owner Ashley Dixon was delighted after watching his four-year-old gelding live up to his pre-race favourite tag.
“Today we had the favourite, all the stars lined. We had a magnificent jockey and our horse is fit.
“When you win such a thing, it is like winning the league title and I am a racing guy, but that is how I am feeling,” said Dixon.
Online Reporter