Sublime Westonian gallops to Kenya derby glory at Ngong

The Patsy Sercombe-trained Westonian, no doubt the country’s top horse and very well ridden by the trainer’s daughter Lesley Sercombe, beat fast-finishing filly Shufti with visiting South African jockey Noel Quale, to clinch the 2013 Salama Fikira Kenya Derby at Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park on Sunday.

Another Patsy Sercombe runner, Blizzard, with Jacob Lokorian on, came home third in the hotly-contested derby race watched by over 2,000 fans. Westonian got off to a flying start but let Somerset, with Charles Mwangi on, dictate the pace with Westonian keeping an eye just two lengths behind.

However, 450 metres out, Westonian and Shufti jumped to the front and fought a neck-and-neck battle to the finishing post where Westonian took the race by a three quarter lengths, to give trainer Sercombe her 14th Derby title.

“I am overwhelmed, its my best Derby victory since I came here way back in 1976. My daughter Lesley has been working hard on Westonian. All the credit goes to her,’’ said trainer Sercombe.

Jockey Sercombe, one of the most experienced riders in the country, said the race was tough but her timing and pace saw her win. She said Westonian was an amazing horse and well above many runners in the country.

Ngong results

12.50pm: The Salama Fikira Italian Cup (2060m). 1. Usurper (M.Kariuki), 2. Charley’s Angel (N.Quale), 3. Labour of Love (Le Sercombe); Dist: 4, ¾, 5 ½, Time: 2.21.5secs; Tote Fav: Winner; Tote Win 33/-, Exacta 84/-, Winning Owners: Sheikh Hamid Butt, Hon. Dr. Patrick Musimba; Trainer: J. Karari.

1.20pm - The Jabali Maiden (1,600m):

1. Cooge (P. Ngugi), 2. Sputnik (J.Lokorian), 3. Akalat (P.Mungai); Dist: ½, 5, nk, 5 ½, Time: 1.42.5secs; Tote Fav Doubloon; Tote Win 48/-, Exacta 109/-, Winning Owners: Inga Kiilu; Trainer: O. Mutua;

1.50pm - The Fahari Handicap(1,600m): 1. Russian Around (R.Kibet), 2. Star Attraction (P.Mungai), 3. Capelcale (J.Muhindi), Dist: ½, ¾, ½, 2 ½, Time: 1.45.5secs; Tote Fav Bolt; Tote Win 42/-, exacta 367/-, Winning owners: Natasha and David Ansell, Damon Ansell, M. Lloyd; Trainer; PA Sercombe.

2.20pm - The Salama Fikira Breeding Futurity Stakes (1,000m): 1. Defending Champion (J.McCann), 2. Shakara Man (J.Muhindi), 3. Joie D’Vivre (Le Sercombe); Dist: ¾, 3, 1 ¾, hd; Time : 1.01.7secs; Tote Fav Shakara Man; Tote Win 49/-, Exacta 11/, Winning Owners: A. Brown, Z. Petkovic; Trainer: JVL McCann;

2.55pm - The Jasiri handicap (1,000m): 1. Trigger Happy (Le Sercombe), 2. Puerto Madryn (D.Tanui), 3. Beretta (P.Ngugi), Dist: 3 ½, hd, ¾, 3 ½, Time: 1.02.5secs; Tote Fav Puerto Madryn; Tote Win 45/-, Exacta 230/-, Winning Owners: C. Bremner, P. Slutz, G. Sphikas, R. Oates; Trainer: PA Sercombe;

3.35pm - The Salama Fikira Kenya Derby (2,400m): 1. Westonian (Le Sercombe), 2. Shufti (N.Quale), 3. Blizzard (J.Lokorian), Dist: ¾, dist, ¾, 7 ½, Time: 2.40.5 secs; Tote Fav Winner; Tote Win 14/-, Exacta 119/-, Winning Owners: M. Haynes; Trainer PA Sercombe.

4.10pm - The Bingwa Maiden (1,400m); 1. Stake Ur Claim (R.Kibet), 2. Bravery (J.Muhindi), 3. Al Buruj (P.Kiarie), Dist: ½, 9, 4, hd; Time: N/A; Tote Fav Al Buruj; Tote Win 203/-, Exacta 7094/-, Winning Owners: M. Haynes, D. Roberts, C. Bremner, Y. Patel; Trainer: PA Sercombe;

4.45pm - The Salama Fikira Civil Service Gold Cup (1,600m): 1. Mkora (J.Lokorian), 2. Hoplyte (R.Kibet), 3. Lord Thomas (D.Tanui); Dist: 4 ½, 2 ¼, 3 ½, ½, :Time 1.44.3secs; Tote Fav Hoplyte; Tote Win 35/-, Exacta 81/-, Winning owners: R. Baudry; Trainer: OJ Gray.