Horse racing is back this weekend (Sunday 23 April 2023) with a full race card made up of 40 runners across eight races with no guaranteed favourites, which will make for an exhilarating rivalry between largely commensurate foes with good track conditions.
After the euphoric and tantalising event that made up the Kenya Derby which resulted in perhaps the biggest racing upset of the season so far, witnessed by Kenyans in their thousands, this weekend’s competition has, without exception, rivalries that have two if not three or four possible winners across every race.
The ever-growing crowds patronising the festival of racing have simultaneously coincided with the richest part of the season making for an exhilarating spectacle on the track, seemingly inspired by the carnival.
As far as the racing is concerned, the 1200m Teufel Maiden at 12:25 pm should be the uncomplicated domain of Cindy who continues to promise so much with mixed results, but Liphook is her equal if not the potential winner.
The 1200m Simuni Maiden has Marlow as the almost uncontested favourite. The 1:35 pm 1400m Graham Trophy is a titillating dash with Pat-See as the front runner, but Salt Lake, Bullet, and All Over Again could make things interesting.
The Courtier Handicap at 2:10 pm is a 1400m dash with eight horses, the most of any race on the card, and should be as crowded and exciting on the track as it will be to watch.
The form guide has Daytime Girl ridden by the ever-reliable Lesley Sercombe as the expected victor but Cranleigh, ridden by the maturing Henry Muya, has every chance of causing an upset.
The 1800m Tangawizi Handicap at 2:45 pm is anything but a ginger affair. Grand Surabi is the preferred choice, though Rahal, a horse with great promise but few laurels, could be poised to repay the loyalty of faith.
The 3:20 pm 2400m Zariba Cup will be a test for all runners on the softer track over this distance, but Mary of Burgundy is the strongest looking, though the consistent Scott is a strong contender for an overthrow, and Rosie should not be discounted.
The 3200m Kenya Gold Cup is a long run for big horses with big hearts and big character and will be testing with the current lush green earth. The winning should belong to General Lee, but Deodoro, ridden by Henry Muya, has a chance for the jockey and steed to prove something.
The final sprint of the afternoon, the 1000m Alpha Romeo Trophy, could be a hot contest, with Ripon looking finest on paper, but Camberley could turn things upside-down, and Lesley Sercombe will be dangerous riding the out-of-form Pitch with nothing to lose.
As always, the fanfare of racing is decorated by a pop-up market featuring 254 Brewing, Maurizio’s, Fabio’s Pizza, and Lekker, as well as top international and local models and who’s-who who have made racing Sundays the fashion spectacle that cannot be missed.
