BY MYRAH MALINA
The horse racing season opened in great fashion on Sunday at Ngong with the runners revealing their capabilities in different ways.
The afternoon was brilliant for trainer Joe Karari who collected the most wins of the day.
It was a return feat for “Grand Slam” who sailed home two and a half lengths clear of his mate “Usurper” of South Africa in the Merchants Purse. Despite all being from one trainer, it was almost impossible to select the winner.
Karari’s additional wins came through “Trebbiano” and “Hunting Call” of South Africa in handicap races. “Trebbiano” beat “Primavera” by four lengths while “Hunting Call” had to give more to get to half a length better of “Hectic”.
The most impressive was “Wesasha” of South Africa who broke from his maiden on his second outing advantaged by the less weight of 50kg. Karari’s quest has just began after finishing second to Patsy Sercombe in the trainers championship. The meeting started with a very competitive Chilli Cup sprint race. As open as it was with expectations from all runners, the pace suited the Sercombe trained “Brown Whistler” who made his way home four and a three quarter lengths clear.
“Riskovary”, another preffered candidate settled for second. Sercombe later earned her double through “Twilight Hour” in another maiden race.
Trainer Njuguna registered his first win when “Simuni” took a nice sprint home in the Forest handicap closely followed by stable companions “Tempesta” and “Pelican Street” respectively. Racing continues in two weeks.
THE CHILLI CUP 1200m
Winning Horse: Brown Whistler Rider: Richard Kibet Trainer: Patsy Sercombe Distance: 43/4
2. Riskovary (David Miri)
3. Labour of Love-SSL (Lesley Sercombe)
THE MERCHANTS PURSE 1800m
Winning Horse: Grand Slam Rider: K MbuguaTrainer: Joe Karari Distance: 2 1/2
2. Usurper-SAF (Patrick Mungai)
3. Rankin (James Maina)
THE MAU FOREST HANDICAP 1200m
Winning Horse: Simuni Rider: David Miri Trainer: Steve Njuguna Distance: 4
2. Tempesta (Peter Lesengei)
3. Pelican Street (Daniel Tanui)
THE MARA HANDICAP 1800m
Winning Horse: Trebbiano Rider: Charles Mwangi Trainer: Joe Karari Distance: 4
2. Primavera (Peter Lesenegei)
3. Dryandra (Patrick Mungai)
THE SONDU MAIDEN 1600m
Winning Horse: Wesasha-SAF Rider: Charles Kimani Trainer: Joe Karari Distance: 5
2. Iron Eagle-SAF (James Muhindi)
3. Princes of Persia (Paul Kiarie)
THE NJORO MAIDEN 1200m
Winning Horse: Twilight Hour Rider: Lesley Sercombe Trainer: Patsy SercombeDistance: 1 1/4
2.Gossip Girl (James Muhindi)
3. Arabian Star (K Mbugua)
THE NZOIA HANDICAP 1600m
Winning Horse: Hunting Call-SAF Rider:Charles Kimani Trainer: Joe Karari Distance: 1/2
2. Hectic (Jacob Lokorian)
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke