adminMandla Moyo Horse Racing Correspondent
YER-MAAN stands on the verge of writing his own piece of history this afternoon when he takes on a strong field of 12 runners for the prestigious Republic Cup Grade (3) race at Borrowdale Race Course in Harare. The 1 900m race is on at 3.50pm. This top-class horse, a winner of the 2015 edition of the OK Grand Challenge and the Castle Tankard races in succession will once again be loaded into the starting stalls for yet another trip around the race course to prove if those two wins were not a fluke.
With jockey Quinton Riddle in the irons, trainer Gokhan Terzi will be praying that this partnership can romp to victory and deliver one more accolade before the 2015 horse racing season goes on a sabbatical break on 27 July up to September. Yer-Maan is the highest rated runner at 106 coming into this competition.
However, before then Riddle and his running mate will have to find a way of keeping 12 quality runners at bay if they habour any intentions of winning the trophy.
It is also interesting to observe that over the past weeks, races involving Yer-Maan and most of the horses among this same field were becoming easy to predict the winner.
Unfortunately the arrival of Rushmore River from South Africa has complicated this puzzle for many followers of the sport especially the punters.
Though this horse is not known local, it’s figures are but a clear warning to the rest of the field that he is not here to make up the numbers but to fight to the end for the Republic Cup trophy. Rushmore River is rated 91 and is the second highest rated entry in this completion.
According Shant Sheldane a member of Mashonaland Owners and Trainers Association Rushmore River is a very good horse who will give Yer-Maan a run for his money this afternoon
“Rushmore River is by Windrush and is a four-year-old gelding. He has won four races at Turffontein from 1 600 to 1 800m.
“He was only 1.10 lengths behind Halve the Deficit (a very good horse) and in his last starts over 1 800m only 6.25 lengths behind Legal Eagle on 14 June. He can win this one if Yer-Maan sleeps on duty,” said Sheldene.
The winning connection of the 2015 edition will carry home the floating trophy and $24 000 in prize money leaving the other placed runners to collect $8 000, $4 800, $2 400 and $800 respectively.
Other horses to keep an eye on are Super Trouper, Warcraft, Equina, Thriller In Manila, Gentle Brook, Rock The Country, Two Gun Kid, Norgay, Menacing, Madigan and Diversify.
If there is a race fans are eagerly waiting for then the Republic Cup is definitely that race as it has all the ingredients to go all the way to the wire. A photo finish cannot be ruled out here.
Online Reporter