Return of the Castle Tankard

chairman John Van Blerk said the return of the Castle Tankard should point to better things to come in the future.
The Castle Tankard was officially launched yesterday at Borrowdale racecourse with Delta Corporation returning to invest after a three-year absence.
“It’s with huge excitement and enthusiasm that we welcome Castle.
“The relationship is over 100 years although it’s only about 50 years for the Tankard,” said Van Blerk.
The Castle Tankard, which prides itself as oldest sponsored race in Africa, was first held in 1960 with Castle as the sponsors.
Riza was the first winner.
Castle pulled out in 2007 with Spar coming in but this time Delta have made a return with an investment of over US$50 000.
The Castle Tankard will be the feature race on May 21 while the nominations will open on May 3.
Seven other races named after Delta’s brands – Castle Milk Stout, Castle Lite, Golden Pilsner, Zambezi Lager, Zambezi Lite, Bohlingers and Carling Black Label – will come as supporting races, each with US$5 000 in stakes.
“Our racing industry had gone through difficulties due to the economy.
“But that has since improved and we are hoping to see a number of South African runners in our races.
“The stakes in the Castle Tankard are equivalent to a grade two event in South Africa but here in Zimbabwe, it’s historic,” said Van Blerk.
In 2007, Kamal Khalfan’s Muscat Express won the Castle Tankard under the Kirk Swanson yard while last year, Winter’s Night, owned by Lisa Harris cantered to a win.
Delta Beverages marketing director Maxen Karombo, officially launched the return of the Castle Tankard, which would be the richest horse race in Zimbabwe.
“Perfection is upon us today as we proudly launch Africa’s oldest sponsored horse race and arguably its most prestigious horse race.
“From the onset, the Castle Tankard was established to develop grade one horse racing in Africa and over the years Castle has managed to attract participation that horse racing in the region has to offer.
“It is indeed, the pinnacle event on the Zimbabwe racing calendar comparing favourably with other regional races,” said Karombo.
This year will mark the 49th edition of the Castle Tankard and Karombo hopes it will be every trainer, owner, groom, punter and jockey’s wish to be listed among the proud winners of the prestigious horse race.
Delta will soon launch a five-week promotion for consumers at various participating outlets with the first prize for the lucky punter being a 2.5 double can Nissan Navara while the second prize is US$10 000.
Meanwhile seven horses will square up at the Borrowdale Park tomorrow to decide who takes home the coveted US$11 000 Independence Trophy.
Champion trainer Lisa Harris is hotly favoured to land the feature race and she fields the six-year-old Chill Out (2) after a long layoff.
Paired with stable jockey Dewi Williams, the son of Winter Romance captured the imagination with a storming destruction of the field in his last outing, shrugging off the attentions of perennial campaigner Moon Horse over 2700m to canter home with a length and a half to spare. This time around Lisa Harris retains that winning formula but the distance shortens to 1600m and this could play into the hands of the Kirk Swanson trained Captain’s Tiger at number one.
The four-year-old gelding was relegated to a hard fought second place by the in form Flashing Numbers when they duelled for the M.O.T.A Ipi Tombe Stakes in February but was very game in defeat conceding only one and a quarter lengths to the victor.