High-octane action on display as racing returns to the Ngong Racecourse
Barry Silah @obel_barry
The horseracing season started on a high Sunday at the Ngong Racecourse after a nine-month break.
Patsy Sercombe stable proved to be early pacesetters after clinching three of the opening four races with Lesley Sercombe picking valuable wins in the season opener to give her a confidence boost.
At the same time, a couple of fillies made their debut on the track in the afternoon minus the usual fans due to Covid-19 with Jockey Club of Kenya providing tough restrictions.
The highlight of the day was the 2060 metres Italian Cup competition, which was clinched by Lesley Sercombe at 2.18.04.
She was in her element as she won another two races (Chemkureu Hot Springs Maiden and Ol Kokwe Island Handicap) to make it a rare hattrick of wins in an opening calendar.
In the Cup event, she was three and a quarter lengths ahead as Richard Kibet gapped to her stablemate atop Fast Five.
It was a tight race in many fronts but the decider was the final bend which saw the 6/4 odds South African breed pace upfront in a fixture that also saw Josephat Kultiang in the mix finishing third atop Busselton trained by Miss Wakini Ndegwa.
The soft ground allowed for strong running from the lights but the long distance meant positions interchanged invariably with some of the pacesetters relegated to the back in a highly tactical race.
Meanwhile, the opening 2060m Lake Baringo Handicap which took place at midday saw Patrick Mungai atop Grace Kelly come in first ahead of Coralline jockeyed by James Muhindi ahead Richard Kibet’s Karowe who found the running difficult towards the end and was third just ahead of Daniel Miri’s Greys Moet.
Short dash
In the star meet of the day 200m Kenyatta Cup, Gold Pot jockeyed by the highly talented Charles Kimani came in first in a super finish ahead of Kevin Ng’ang’a’s Quickfire.
Protus Mithamo was quick but not as fast atop Clothes Horse finishing in the short straight dash. Mithamo’s fillie came in at one and three quarter lengths ahead of Pharaoh’s Advocate ridden by Oliver Chaba in a duel exclusive only for the Sercombe stable.
Speaking after the main race, Lesley was thrilled with her form.
“I felt good out there and my wins were valid. I have been training hard and so better luck to my competitors next time.
The horses were in tip top form and the ground was just amazing.”
