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Ngong Champagne Stakes tougher upon second glance
Jockey Lesley Sercombe steers Pinamar across the finish line in The Turn of Speed Maiden race at Ngong racecourse on January 26, 2025.
Buster would want to breach the defenses of 1,200m Champagne Stakes rivals, after two respectable wins, albeit shorter. Gangster Grace, however, made easy pickings of her debut, and must be a ruffler of feathers here.
Act of Genius ran way too far in the Derby, but still claimed fourth prize. This Goss Gold Circle Tray is much more suitable down the straight, even with 62Kgs.
His commanding physical anatomy will cope with that. Can we please offer immeasurable sympathies to Linda Garner's extended family?
Sister to Doctor Patsy Sercombe, Linda, who recently left the Departure Lounge of Life, never faltered in her loyalties towards any of horse racing's entire package.
SELECTIONS
1:00 pm Benchmark, Danbury
1.35 pm Swayze, Pedasos
2.10 pm Kenny, Mo Fire
2.45 pm Lewis, Vuvuzela Umlilo
3.20 pm Player X, Arlington
3.55 pm Act of Genius, Trumpet Call
4.30 pm Gangster Grace, Buster
1:00 Race 1 The Silver Dipper Maiden
Distance 1600m. A maiden race for three year olds and over at starting. To carry 58.5kg.Mares and fillies 57kg. First time starters allowed 2kg.
1 ( 5- 3- 2) Benchmark J. Muhindi 58. 2
2 ( 2- 2) Danbury M. Fundi 58. 3
3 ( 4- 6- 7) Margaretha P. Kiarie 57. 4
4 (w-w- 3) Queen's H. Muya 57. 1 Ransome
1:35 Race 2 The Speed Trial Handicap
Distance 1800m. A handicap for three year olds and over rated 22 and below at closing. Unrated maidens to be handicapped 5kg below the top weight. First time starters allowed 2kg.
1 ( 5- 1- 3) Swayze S. Wachira 60. 3
2 ( 1- 4- 2) Cindy W. Matee 58. 1
3 ( 3- 3- 2) Coming Home Le. Sercombe 56. 7
4 ( 2- 7- 3) Eton Star A. Tache 52. 5
5 ( 2- 3- 1) Mystic K. Ngugi 52. 2 Symphony
6 ( 1- 5- 2) Pedasos (SAF) N. Karanja 52. 4
7 ( 6- 4- 3) Roxy Music P. Kiarie 52. 6
2:10 Race 3 The Wallace Handicap
Distance 2060m. A handicap for three year olds and over rated 12 and below at closing. Unrated maidens to be handicapped 1kg below the top weight. First time starters allowed 2kg.
1 ( 5- 4- 6) Divine Date W. Matee 57. 2
2 ( 1- 7- 5) Kenny P. Kiarie 57. 3
3 ( 4- 1- 3) Mo Fire Le. Sercombe 57. 4
4 ( 6- 3- 5) Sticky Ricket M. Fundi 57. 1
5 ( 2- 2- 4) Allendale J. Muhindi 56. 5
2:45 Race 4 The Zariba Cup
Distance 2060m. A handicap for three year olds and over rated 34 and below at closing.
1 (w- 6- 3) Vuvuzela M. Fundi 61.
3 Umlilo (SAF)
2 ( 6- 1- 5) Ten Eighty S. Wachira 59. 2
3 ( 4- 4- 1) Lewis P. Kiarie 52. 1
3:20 Race 5 The Nairac Gold Circle Tray
Distance 1400m. An open handicap race for three year olds and over.
1 ( 4- 3- 2) Ripon M. Fundi 60. 1
2 ( 1- 1- 8) Cranleigh Z. Munoru 59. 5
3 ( 1- 1- 3) Player X (SAF) Le. Sercombe 59. 3
4 ( 3- 6- 4) Strider J. Muhindi 56. 2
5 ( 2- 1- 2) Arlington P. Kiarie 53. 7
6 ( 2- 3- 4) Rahal A. Tache 52. 4
7 ( 3- 2- 5) Treasure Cove H. Muya 52. 6
3:55 Race 6 The Goss Gold Cirlce Tray
Distance 1200m. A handicap for three year olds only rated 29 and below at closing.
1 ( 1- 2- 4) Act of Genius M. Fundi 62. 2 (SAF)
2 ( 5- 4- 5) Twyford A. Wambua 61. 3
3 ( 2- 5- 2) Carlisle J. Muhindi 57. 4
4 ( 4- 6- 4) The Gambler K. Ngugi 56. T 5
5 ( 2- 1- 2) Trumpet Call Le. Sercombe 54. 6
6 ( 1- 6- 2) Hindi Queen H. Muya 50. 1 (SAF)
4:30 Race 7 The Champagne Stakes
For the Lady McMillan Cup Distance 1200m. A terms race for two year olds only. To carry 57kg. Fillies 55.5kg.NO RIDING ALLOWANCES
1 ( 1- 1) Buster Le. Sercombe 57. 2
2 ( 6- 2- 1) Calabash M. Fundi 55. 3
3 - Flame K. Ngugi 55. 1
4 ( 1) Gangster Grace J. Muhindi 55. 5
5 ( 4- 1- 2) The Enigma P. Kiarie 55. 4