BY MYRAH MALINA
Stake Ur Claim, one of the top three year-olds this season, confirmed his greatness when he sailed smoothly home to the St. Leger title his second classic win to give Lesley Sercombe her double at Ngong race course on Sunday.
The produce of Russian Revival (USA) and Ern Your Honour (South Africa) lived up to his name during this endurance race run over 2,800m which demands great strength and stamina and is the second longest distance run in Kenyan racing after the 3,200m.
This victory was a momentous occasion to connections Dee Robert, Carol Bremner, Y Patel and Mim Haynes as they added another great title to their records.
Trainer Patsy Sercombe thus claimed her third classic triumph this season, all delivered by her daughter. Her other runner Mozart-(South African) posed a challenge and managed third place.
With this, the extent of Grand Slam’s loss was evident as he missed out on the top classic races of the season.
Trainer Julie McCann saddled an even more attractive prospect in The Harry Deakin Memorial Bowl sprint race. She was rewarded when Riskovary with David Miri aboard strongly contested, powering in full gear to prove himself as one of the notable speedy three year-olds of his generation. After finishing seventh in the Derby, he came back to win from 1,200m then landed in second over 1,400m and on Sunday made it again on the straight. He had stablemate Woodhaven as an escort.
McCann had earlier watched Primavera break from her maiden in the Gede Maiden over 2,060m and later Manzhouli over 1,200m ridden by apprentice Peter Lesengei. The afternoon started well for trainer Karari who walked away with the Nigel Brennard Trophy during the Nakuru Champion Stakes race through Happy Times (South Africa. She negotiated the bends well to earn her second sprint race having had two starts from 1,200m. His double came later through Usurper (South Africa). Owner Justin Mburu also had plenty to smile about as two of his horses Go Public (South Africa) and Serene Geisha (Zimbabwe) won handicap races for trainer Onesmus Mutua. Race goers were witnessing the final classic race that ushers in the OBTS Sales race meeting coming after the yearling sale on Saturday at the Ngong race course.
THE NAKURU CHAMPION STAKES – THE NIGEL BRENNAND TROPHY (1400m)
Wining Horse: Happy Times-SAF Rider: Paul Kiarie Trainer: Joe Karari
2. Royal Silk-SAF (Patrick Mungai)
3. River King (James Muhindi )
THE OLORGESAILIE HANDICAP (1800m)
Wining Horse: Fulfield Rider: Patrick Mungai Trainer: Mohammed Noor
2. Almeria-SAF (Michael Micino)
3. Armed N Dangerous (James Muhindi)
THE GEDE MAIDEN (2060m)
Wining Horse: Primavera Rider: Peter Lesengei Trainer: Julie McCann
2. Cascade (Lesley Sercombe)
3. Hood (Paul Ngugi)
THE MUGURUK HANDICAP (1400m)
Wining Horse: Go Public-SAF Rider: Paul Ngugi Trainer: Onesmus Mutua
2. Mama Mia (James Muhindi)
3. Paspaley-SAF (Lesley Sercombe)
THE HARRY DEAKIN MEMORIAL BOWL (1000m)
Wining Horse: Riskovary Rider: David Miri Trainer: Julie McCann
2. Labor of Love-SSL (Lesley Sercombe)
3. Woodhaven (Daniel Tanui)
THE KENYA ST. LEGER- THE ROYAL ARTILLERY CUP (2800m)
Wining Horse: Stake Ur Claim Rider: Lesley Sercombe Trainer: Patsy Sercombe
2. Bravery (Paul Kiarie)
3. Mozart-SAF (Patrick Mungai)
THE CHETAMBE HANDICAP (1000m)
Wining Horse: Serene Geisha-ZIM Rider: James Muhindi Trainer: Onesmus Mutua
2. Kaptivate (Lesley Sercombe)
3. Iceland (Daniel Tanui)
THE KILOMBE MAIDEN (1200m)
Wining Horse: Manzhouli Rider: Peter Lesengei Trainer: Julie McCann
2. Rifle Range (James Muhindi)
3. Arig (Paul Ngugi)
THE SHAKA HANDICAP (1800m)
Wining Horse: Usurper-SAF Rider: Ken Mbugua Trainer: Joe Karari
2. Capelvale (Jacob Lokorian)
3. Kijito (James Muhindi)
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke