
2017 CASTLE TANKARD HORSES LINE UP
- MATHEMATICIAN Lining up from barrier 2, The 4 year old Black Minnaloushe gelding came within half a length of winning last year’s edition of the Castle Tankard but had to settle for second behind Rock The Country. Apprentice Calvin Habib looks to find redemption with the top weight in this year’s twelve horse field. Form – wise, the Bridget Stidolph trained campaigner has shown signs of promise finishing 2nd from his last two starts both of which were feature events.
- WINDIGO Sherman Brown is entrusted to guide the son of Windrush to a $30 000 payday. The Kirk Swanson conditioned 5 year old has hit top stride raking up 2 wins and a second placing in his last three outings. He was most recently upstaged by the in – form filly Duffi’s Call in the Independence Trophy when pipped on the line in a pulsating duel to the wire. The yard will seek atonement here.
- ASHTON PARK One of three unknown quantities in this field, The South African import brings lukewarm form but has shown signs of ability earning a 3rd placing in competitive races South of the Limpopo. Athandiwe Mgudlwa jumps into the saddle for the Penny Fisher stable with his mount boasting the most race experience of the entrants lined up for the class of 2017.
- DUFFI’S CALL Winner of this year’s Independence Trophy in the most dramatic of circumstances, the 4 year old filly faces up against the boys once again. She has displayed rapid improvement in her last two outings reversing a dramatic dip in form in all but two races. Brendon McNaughton will be bullish in the irons for the Bridget Stidolph yard and with good reason. Likely favourite.
- EURAKILON The dark horse of this race. Form has been moderate but not without signs of consistency. Mathew Thackeray will pilot the 7 year old gelding for the Amy Bronkhorst stable. Though getting on in years,the son of Classic Flag still possesses enough spirit and guile to outwit the best of them on his day. He was beaten into third just 0.60 lengths off the winner in the Independence Trophy. Will prove good value for exotics.
- ROCK THE COUNTRY Last year’s champion, paired up with his winning Jockey again. Hennie Greyling forms the other half of the partnership that will be catapulted to immortality should they pull off the impossible and retain the crown, a feat only ever done once before. The 8 year old has since changed trainers and is now under the stewardship of Penny fisher. Form is unconvincing. Will have to improve markedly to pull off the fairytale
- LAVA FLOW Another runner put forward from Penny Fisher’s stable, the 5 year old gelding had crossed the Limpopo in search of better fortunes but found the going tough recording a 7th and 10th position finish in the two attempts down South. Now back home, Collen Storey is tasked with the reins from a wide draw of 11 over the 2000m trip. Will enjoy the light weight of 52.5 kg.
- WYLDE STYLE The little filly with a big heart that has managed to set the local racing scene alight finds herself facing her biggest challenge yet. Apprentice Serino Moodley jumps into the irons but will be under no illusions of the enormity of the task at hand facing up against much more esteemed rivals boasting vast levels of experience. Surprises are the nature of the Castle Tankard. This is more than likely one of them.
- ROYAL HONOUR Another South African raider from the Paul Matchett yard looks to pull off a fast one and take the biggest prize in Zimbabwean horseracing back to South Africa. Ridden here by Jarryd Penny, the 4 year old gelding will be a lurker in the pack and should relish the light weight of 52 kg. Has the added advantage of having raced further than the 2000m.
- COMANCHE BRAVE Amy Bronkhorst’s ace in the pack. Sean Veale is tasked with pilot duty on board the 4 year old Kahal gelding. Jumping from barrier 5, he will have a prime position to steal the Grade 1 event from his rivals and his prior form certainly backs that conviction. He has run 14 times and placed in 7 races, winning 4. Will certainly be a big runner here.
- COOL SOLUTION Kirk Swanson saddles up the 4 year old Mullins Bay gelding and pairs him with Keagan De Melo. Expect a sparking run from the gutsy campaigner. Might find the going a bit tough against more experienced rivals, but form line suggests that he will have a fair crack.
- ROMAN DISCENT Bridget Stidolph sends out the final contender in the form of this 4 year old gelding. Imported from down South, the son of Dynasty makes his local debut in a baptism of fire. Will need to show more than has already displayed in order to have any impact here.