Huge field lines up for Kenya derby


Jockey Smanga Khumalo (left) celebrates atop Lazrin as Armstrong’s Girl, ridden by jockey James Muhindi jogs along during the Spur Steak Ranches Kenya Derby on Aprill 3, 2011. This year’s edition of the Kenya derby will be held today at Ngong. PHOTO/CHRIS OMOLLO

Racing at Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park enters its 15th weekend Sunday, with the third and Kenya’s most prestigious classic race, the Kenya Derby.
Coming after the Kenya Guineas in January and the Fillies Guineas held in February, the Kenya Derby, this year dubbed “The Salama Fikira Kenya Derby,’’  has attracted an impressive field of  11 runners.

Besides the Derby, the eight-race-card also features the Salama Fikira Italian Cup which comes first at 12.50pm, the Breeding Futurity Stakes, and the Civil Service Gold Cup.

The day promises to be a family fun day, with entertainment for both adults and children planned throughout the day, ranging from the Sarakasi dancers and live band
Westonian, with jockey Lesley Sercombe aboard, is 4-7 odds on, probably due to his impressive performance this season, particularly in the past few outings. Blizzard and Wonnitestand will challenge him for the mile and half trip.

This year’s race has been sponsored by Salama Fikira, a risk management consultancy. Other sponsors are silver Executive Healthcare Solutions, Brew Bistro and Lounge, Moet and Chandon, Acacia and Bio Food Products Limited.

Selections:12.50pm: Charley’s Angel - Usurper1.20pm: Doubloon - Leonidus1.50pm: Russian Around - Bolt2.20pm: Breaking Down - Shakara Man2.55pm:Just Promise - Puerto Madryn3.35pm: Westonian - Blizzard4.10pm: Al Buruj - Freetown4.55-Legend Maker- Hoplyte

Ngong runners:

12:50pm - Race 1: The Salama Fikira Italian Cup; Distance (2060m.) A handicap for three-year-olds and over rated 28 and below at closing.1 ( 5- 3- 2) Boudica (SAF) (J. Kultiang) (3.5) 62.0 H  32 ( 5- 1- 2) Usurper (SAF) (M. Kariuki) (1.5) 61.0 63 ( 2- 6- 1) Labour Of Love (SSL) (Le. Sercombe) 60.0 14 ( 3- 4- 3) Woodlands (D. Miri) (3.5) 59.0 H  55 ( 7- 1- 3) Russki (H. Muya) 54.0 26 (w- 3- 1) Charley’s Angel (SAF) (N. Quale) 51.0 H  41:20pm - Race 2: The Jabali 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 ( 4- 3- 8) Coogee (P. Ngugi) (5.0) 58.5 42 ( 9- 7- 6) Danny Boy (R. Kibet) 58.5 33 ( 2- 3- 3) Doubloon (Le. Sercombe) 58.5 H  84 ( 7- 4- 2) Leonidus (J. Muhindi) 58.5 H  55 ( 5- 5- 4) Sputnik (J. Lokorian) 58.5 26 (w- 6- 4) Akalat (P. Mungai) 57.0 17 ( 7- 5- 9) Coco Chanel (P. Lesengei) (5.0) 57.0 H  68 ( 6- 5- 3) Soyuz (H. Muya) 57.0 H  79 ( 2- 7- 5) Tiger’s Eye (SAF) (N. Quale) 57.0 91:50pm - Race 3: The Fahari Handicap Distance (1600m). A handicap for three-year-olds and over rated 26 and below at closing.1 ( 2- 1- 3) Ermanos (M. Kariuki) (1.5) 62.0 92 ( 4- 3- 3) Capelvale (J. Muhindi) 56.0 H  53 ( 5- 2- 2) Bolt (Le. Sercombe) 55.0 H  84 ( 3- 3- 2) Russian Around (R. Kibet) 55.0 45 ( 5-w- 3) Star Attraction (P. Mungai) 55.0 66 ( 2- 1- 4) Dryandra (D. Tanui) 53.0 107 ( 1- 2- 9) Beat Retreat (H. Muya) 52.0 28 ( 4- 1-w) Derek Boy (W. Watetu) 52.0 79 ( 8- 4- 7) Oyakoba (P. Kiarie) 52.0 110 ( 5- 5- 4) Kijito (D. Miri) (3.5) 51.0 H  32:20pm - Race 4: The Salama Fikira Breeding Futurity Stakes (The Mervyn Ridley Challenge Cup) Distance - 1000m. A terms race for two-year-olds only. To carry 57kg. Fillies 55.5kg.No riding allowances.1 ( 3) Joie D’vivre (Le. Sercombe) 57.0 62 ( 2- 1) Shakara Man (SAF) (P. Kiarie) 57.0 53 ( 6) Woodwind (N. Quale) 57.0 14 ( 6- 1- 1) Breaking Dawn (R. Kibet) 55.5 45 ( 2- 1) Defending Champion (J. McCann) 55.5 76 - Dynasty’s Eclipse (SAF) (R. Peters) 55.5 37 ( 1- 3) Santa Anna (B. Nagi) (5.0) 55.5 22:55pm - Race 5: The Jasiri Handicap Distance 1000m. A handicap for three-year-olds and over rated 12 and below at closing.Unrated maidens to be handicapped 3kg less than the top weight.1 (w- 3- 2) Beretta (P. Ngugi)(5.0) 60.0 12 ( 5- 5- 2) Njabini P. Mungai 58.0 H  83 ( 6- 5- 3) All Night Long (J. Lokorian) 57.0 34 ( 6- 5) Armadale (J. Muhindi) 57.0 55 ( 7- 5-w) Just Promise (SAF) (N. Quale) 56.0 46 ( 3- 4- 5) Trigger Happy (Le. Sercombe) 56.0 67 ( 5-w- 3) Puerto Madryn (D. Tanui) 54.0 28 ( 5- 4- 5) Hava Nagila (D. Mwikya) 52.0 73:35pm - Race 6: The Salama Fikira Kenya Derby Distance (2400m). A terms race for three-year-olds only. To carry 57kg. Fillies 55.5kg.No riding allowances. There will be a parade before .1 ( 3- 1- 1) Blizzard (J. Lokorian) 57.0 72 ( 2- 1- 3) Chamonix (P. Mungai )57.0 53 ( 4- 2- 1) Irish Garden (SAF) (D. Tanui) 57.0 114 ( 1- 5- 6) Omega Lad (J. Muhindi) 57.0 15 ( 3- 1- 2) Shipshape (H. Muya) 57.0 106 ( 4- 1- 4) Somerset (C. Mwangi) 57.0 67 ( 4- 1- 6) Vail (P. Kiarie) 57.0 98 ( 6- 2- 1) Val D’Isere (R. Peters) 57.0 49 ( 1- 1- 1) Westonian (SAF) (Le. Sercombe) 57.0 310 ( 3- 3- 1) Shufti (SAF) (N. Quale) 55.5 211 ( 2- 1- 5) Wonnitestand (R. Kibet) 55.5 84:10pm - Race 7: The Bingwa Maiden Distance (1400m). A maiden race for two-year-olds only at starting. To carry 56.5kg. Fillies 55kg.First time starters1 (w- 3) Al Buruj (SSL) (P. Kiarie) 56.5 82 ( 4- 5) Bravery (J. Muhindi) 56.5 33 ( 3) Freetown (J. McCann) 56.5 94 ( 5) Mozart (SAF) (Le. Sercombe) 56.5 75 ( 4) Armed N Dangerous (M. Kariuki) (1.5) 55.0 66 ( 4) Blossom Hill (P. Mungai) 55.0 117 ( 7) Global Queen (SAF) (N. Quale) 55.0 108 ( 7- 5) Hood (N. Kisilu) 55.0 49 - Hunting Call (SAF) (R. Peters) 54.5 210 - Orlando Furioso (J. Lokorian) 54.5 111 - Stake Ur Claim (R. Kibet) 54.5 54:45pm - Race 8: The Salama Fikira Civil Service Gold (George Drew Challenge Series) Distance 1600m. A terms race for three-year-olds and over.  Five-year-olds and over to carry 59.5kg.Four year olds 58.5kg and three year olds 54kg. Mares and fillies allowed 1.5kg.No riding Allowances.1 ( 1- 3- 1) Hoplyte (SAF) (R. Kibet) 59.5 62 ( 1- 1- 1) Legend Maker (C. Mwangi) 59.5 53 (w- 3- 1) Lord Thomas (ZIM) (D. Tanui) 59.5 74 ( 1- 1- 2) Parting Shot (Le. Sercombe) 59.5 95 ( 7- 5- 6) Skeleton Coast (SAF) (R. Peters) 59.5 86 ( 4- 2- 4) King’s Point (J. Muhindi) 58.5 H  47 ( 5- 3- 2) Mpowered Mpire  (P. Mungai) 58.5 H  3 (SAF)8 ( 2- 4- 4) Roxanne (M. Kariuki) 58.0 19 ( 1- 1- 2) Mkora (J. Lokorian) 52.5 2.