Zimpapers Logo

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
A total of 18 runners will take to the starting stalls in the 2016 Republic Cup this afternoon at Borrowdale Racecourse.

The event, rated the third biggest in the country, saw its stakes increase from $40 000 to $50 000, which puts the race on par with the Castle Tankard — an exciting development for owners and trainers.

This year’s Castle Tankard winner, Rock The Country (fifth in the OK Grand Challenge), has drawn 13 and is set to carry 55kgs while Madigan and Got A Hold On Me, both seven-year-olds, are 10-time winners ahead of the meeting and will be expected to use their experience to their advantage.

Madigan ran in the recent OK Grand Challenge without distinction and at the last meeting, Got A Hold On Me finished 7.25 lengths off Gotago over 1 200m.

OK Grand Challenge winner, Duffi’s Call will carry 53,5kgs, and was drawn 11 as Flax has been allotted top weight of 61kgs to draw 17 while one cannot ignore Mathematician and Windigo, who finished in the top four in both previous races.

Mathematician (54,5kgs) has drawn the number three starting stall, while Windigo (53,5kgs) has to overcome the widest of draws.

Approval Rating, Thriller In Manila, and relative newcomer Perfect Grace, step up to the 2016 big race plate for the first time.

At one time Thriller In Manila played a significant role with the best around the turn, but of late has reverted to shorter trips, where he shone during 2013 and 2014.

Perfect Grace has raced three times at Borrowdale. On May 7, he won an 1 800 MR 70 Handicap, where Red Savage was well beaten at level weights as Lava Flow, another recent import, raced in the Tankard and the OK Grand Challenge, where he ran 2.85 lengths off the winner, Duffi’s Call, at level weights.

Entries:

Rock The Country, Eurakilon, Approval Rating, Super Trouper and Merhaba. (all Gokhan Terzi) Duffi’s Call, Mathematician, Flax and Lucky Sam (all Bridget Stidolph) Windigo and Madigan (both Kirk Swanson). Perfect Grace (Amy Bronkhorst), Lava Flow (Penny Fisher), Fah Fee (Ormond Ferraris).