Rhythmical Reply and Big Chief to fight it out at Borrowdale

– Racing resumes at Borrowdale tomorrow after a sevenweek break, which has allowed the annual course scarification to take place and the trusty equine athletes to catch up on a wellneeded vacation.

Race 1 on the card is a Maiden Plate over 1000m due off at 11.45am, where the newly turned four-year-old Switchblade (Fransie Herholdt) takes on five younger rivals, an age advantage that could see him finally crack his maiden.

Harare

Hollywood On Set (Calvin Habib) is back in maiden company and is likely to give her older rival a run for his money with Business Jet (Basil McNaughton) the best of the rest.

Eurozone (Hennie Greyling) looks the horse to beat in Race 2 a MR 50 Handicap over 1200m while Détente (Fanie Chambers) is never too far off the call and warrants respect here. Sail From Sibaya (Herholdt) will have his supporters, but this recently turned three-year-old did not cope in open company in July, so could be needing more time to mature to his best.

The top weight Rhythmical Reply (Habib) appeals in Race 3 – a MR 61 Handicap over 1450m, however former Eastern Cape resident Big Chief (Morgan Nyamagwete) makes his Zim debut and is sure to improve on his current SA formline. Despite having recently celebrated his eighth birthday, Romantic Balladeer (McNaughton) has not lost his zest for racing and should be included in all bets.

Race 4 is a six-horse Maiden 1600m where Misterioso (Chambers) should easily lose his maiden status. The places should be filled by the Fisher coupling of Atlantic Bijoux (Greyling) and Rebellious Queen (Jarryd Penny).

Just four horses line up in Race 5 a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m, where Haga Haga (Herholdt) is expected to fight out the finish with Lava Flow (Greyling)

Finlay (Penny) will appreciate the return to his former stomping ground and is selected to head the pack in Race 6 a MR 55 Handicap over 1700m. Viking Castle (Nyamagwete) drops in class and should be included with Wee Doch ‘n Dorris (Nobert Takawira) who bounced back to his best last time out.

Race 7 is an open Handicap over 1000m, where Coachella (Chambers) attracts attention. Expect a challenge from Road To Dubai (Herholdt) who is always thereabouts and Sheik’s Brashee (Greyling) who loves the minimum trip.