Sundaymail Editor
Veronica Gwaze
RENOWNED trainer – Bridget Stidolph – was yesterday all smiles after watching her five-year-old Simona defend her title and claim the 31st edition of the OK Grand Challenge.
With Calvin Habib on the saddle, Simona beat a field of 13 horses in front of the near capacity Borrowdale Race Course crowd, pocketing RTGS $ 42 000.
Fareeq, Verdier and Peggson walked away with RTGS $14 000, RTGS $ 8750 and RTGS $ 5250 respectively after coming second, third and fourth.
Peggson, who also won the Castle Tankard last month, is trained by Stidolph while Fareeq and Verdier are both trained by Penny Fisher.
“Simona has been a great felly since the first day and she has done me proud, winning all her major races. What else could a trainer ask for?
“She is my favourite and seeing her run sixth at the Castle Tankard last month hurt, but I never lost hope.
“I did all I could, trained her harder, just to see her back on top before retirement. “I’m happy she did it, going out with a bang,” said Stidolph.
Retiring from the track, Simona will be returning to South Africa for reproduction.
Elated with the superb showing, 22-year-old Habib, who also won the 30th edition of the competition with Simona last year in his maiden race, said he knew Simona would make it to the top.
“I really don’t know why, but I had a feeling this was going to be a bright day for us.
“I knew she was not going to disappoint considering the level of training she has been going through.
“She came to defend her title.
“Simona contributed immensely to my career considering that she gave me a name at the Grand Challenge when I romped to victory with her.
“It was my first time saddling up at such a big race and had it not been for her, maybe I would have remained virtually unknown,” said Habib.
Ends.
Online Reporter
Tinaye Agere