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Mandla Moyo Horse Racing Reporter
MASHONALAND Turf Club has issued a revised programme for the 2014/15 horse racing season which is underway at Borrowdale Race Course. In a letter to trainers, racing manager Betina Gurajena said changes had been made to the calendar and the Borrowdale Handicap had been moved forward.

“Please find updated calendar for 2015 horse racing season. Also note that the Borrowdale Handicap which had been scheduled for September 5 has reverted back to September 6, 2015,” wrote Gurajena.

However, the Independence Trophy fourth leg Open series has not been affected by these changes.

It is still on April 5 as planned and will be over 1,600M. Entries for this feature race have been released with 12 runners going through the first stage.

Next week these nominees will go through the final stage — the acceptances stage — before the race card is compiled by Mashonaland Turf Club.

After the Independence Trophy race focus will shift to April 19 where three-year-old equines will meet for the last leg of the Triple Crown which is the Zimbabwe Derby Grade (3) race to be contested over 2,400M.

On Saturday May 3 there will be no feature race as only minor races will take place at the course.

The most prestigious race in the country, the Castle Tankard (G1) fifth Leg Open Series over 2,000M will be hosted on May 16.

Over the years this event has proved to be unique hence has continued to attract athletes from neighbouring South Africa.

A fortnight after that on May 31 competitors will converge at the race course for the running of the Zimbabwe Oaks Listed race, the third leg of the Triple Tiarra over 2,000M.

After the Tiara the big guns from across the border are expected to jet into the country once again for the second biggest event after the Tankard, the OK Grand Challenge Grade (2) race, the sixth leg Open Series over 1,800M.

This race will be on June 6.

The racing season will go on a break from July 27 to September 5.