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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
SEASONED stayer Captain’s Tiger by Kirk Swanson cantered to a lens’ victory in the 24th edition of the Independence Trophy over 1 600m at Borrowdale Park yesterday. A classy field of nine equine athletes had taken to the starting stalls for the race and the gelding Captain’s Tiger, with jockey Kevin Derere on board, stopped the clock after 1 min 34.02 seconds.

For winning the race, the combination took home US$4 860 from the US$8 100 that had been placed at stakes.
Coming with a draw of four, the veteran Captain’s Tiger was better off the weights at 54kgs, the same as Orbit War who finished in sixth position.

Approval Rating from the Gorkhan Terzi yard finished in second place with rider Lance Pagels, coming off the draw of five and had a top weight of 57kgs.

The runner up took home US$1 620 while Amy Bronkhorst brought in Equina who partnered Karl Zechner to finish three lens behind Approval Rating and four lens behind Captain’s Tiger.

Penthouse (10) came a distant fourth and was some 4.25 lens behind the winner while pre-race favourite Alula Borelis settled for fifth place with Nkululeko Sibanda holding the straps. It was a disappointing finish for Madigan and Sherman Brown as Swanson runner came last.

According to the Stipes Report yesterday, Madigan, ducked severely outwards almost dislodging Brown shortly after the start and thereafter refused to gallop. Macchiato was scratched   from the race that came as Race Six on the card.

A total of Seven Races were carded on for the day with the Independence Trophy coming as the feature event while Original Genuine Lotto Novice Plate 12 00m was the last sprint of the day.