All set for 2017 Castle Tankard

ALL is set for the 2017 Castle Tankard horse race meeting at Borrowdale Park tomorrow. Twelve runners will battle for the coveted prize.

Rock the Country

Rocky the Country won the 64th edition of the prestigious competition and returns again this year to defend his title in a race that has several foreign runners and jockeys. The eight-year-old gelding by Western Winter (USA) from the Penny Fisher yard is drawn 10 and carries 54.5 kgs. Ran fourth behind Yer-Maan in the 2015 Castle Tankard, then won this race in 2016. Back-to-back wins in the 2000m Breeders Champions Cup in 2014 and 2015, so 2000m is his game.

Mathematician

Came second last year and will return to represent the Bridget Stidolph yard and the four-year-old gelding by Black Minnaloushe (USA) had 16 starts for four wins and six places and managed to win the Bloodstock SA 2000, the Zimbabwe Derby and the Republic Cup over 1900m. This season he has run four times and in his last two outings he was second to Windigo in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes, and second to Comanche Brave, in the Breeders Champion Cup.

Windigo

Off the Kirk Swanson yard, the fiveyear-old gelding by Windrush (USA) had 16 starts for six wins and five places. Windigo has won two of his three starts this season, over 1450m, and the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes and last time out in the 1600m Independence Trophy he went down by half-a-length to Duffi’s Call.

Ashton Park

Also from Penny Fisher, the eight-yearold gelding by Battersea Park out of a Jetmaster mare boosts of eight wins and 18 places from 48 starts. Wins in Western Cape and Gauteng, all over 1400m, this is a first outing at Borrowdale Park.

Duffi’s Call

Bridget Stidolph’s four-year-old filly by AP Answer (USA) has seven wins and five places from 15 starts. Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara winner at three, and also won the 1800m OK Grand Challenge, beating Windigo, who was conceding 2kgs, by one length. On March 19, finished third behind Comanche Brave and Mathematician in the 2000m Breeders Champion Cup.

Eurakilon

Amy Bronkhorst brought in the sevenyear-old gelding by Classic Flag whose record stands at 34 starts, seven wins, and 15 places. Experienced runner who has taken on the best both in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Lava Flow

Another one from Penny Fisher, the five-year-old gelding by Western Winter (USA) has four wins and nine places from 28 starts. Winner of two races over 1400m and 1800m in Gauteng, and two races over 1600m and 1800m at Borrowdale.

Wylde Style (Zim)

The only local flavour in the starting stalls, this three-year-old filly from the Amy Bronkhorst stable has a record seven wins and five places from 12 starts. Champion two-year-old and winner of the 1600m Tote Free Handicap, the 1600m Fillies Classic and second to Flasher On The Run in the Zimbabwe Guineas.