Zimbabwe’s biggest horse racing event the Castle Tankard rocks Borrowdale Race Course on Saturday on a weekend Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action goes a gear up.
Thousands of people are expected to throng Borrowdale Race Course for the 56th running of the Castle Tankard on a weekend in which Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action roars into week five.
So far, FC Platinum have proved invincible with a maximum 12 points from four games and already some sections of the football family have started pointing at Kugona Kunenge Kudada as possible 2016 Zimbabwe soccer champions.
Norman Mapeza’s side lead Caps United by two points but Mapeza is not excited saying they are playing for fun and will only know what happens to them come the end of the season.
“We are just working. We will see what comes out at the of the season. If we set ourselves some target, we will put ourselves under pressure,” said Mapeza.
The Money Bags have the chance to extend their lead at the summit of the table when they play host to inconsistent Harare City at Mandava Stadium where they rarely lose.
MISSING TOO MANY CHANCES
However Harare City coach Taurayi Mangwiro thinks his team has been playing well but unfortunately have been missing too many chances which he believes they will get right at Mandava.
“A team that creates chances is better than the one that does not. We have been working on that and we hope to put that right at Mandava,” said Mangwiro.
Second placed Caps United also have the chance to stay in touch with the leaders when they entertain winless Borders Strikers at the National Sports Stadium.
The Green Machine are still basking in the euphoria of their memorable 1-0 win over bitter rivals Dynamos and should have too much ammunition for a Border Strikers team that is struggling both financially and on the field of play.
On the other hand, Dynamos make the long trip to Hwange with the axe still hanging on the head of Portuguese coach Paolo Jorge Silva.
DYNMOS VISITING COLLIERY STADIUM
The clubs’ leadership has shifted goalposts saying Silva is still in charge of the team but have come out clear that they will review his position after the game against Chipangano.
Silva himself is aware of the pressure on him and says he hopes to give the Dembare fans the much needed three points.
“I need the three points. To the fans of Dynamos, I hope to give them the three points,” said Silva.
Chicken Inn who will be parting ways with title winning coach Joey Antipas on July 1 when he joins South Africa’s Amazulu have another tough assignment on their hands against city rivals Bulawayo City.
Highlanders who are blowing hot and cold are tipped for maximum points at the expense of visiting Chapungu.
How Mine make the long trip to Sakubva Stadium for a game against Mutare City Rovers where they also expected to return home with three points.
Matches involving Triangle and ZPC Kariba as well the other between Tsholotsho Pirates and Ngezi Platinum Stars will round up the weekend football programme.
CASTLE TANKARD RACE
Now to the Castle Tankard: A classy field of 14 runners will tomorrow take to the course at Borrowdale Racecourse to battle for the Castle Tankard--the biggest horse racing event in Zimbabwe.
Topping the bill is the appearance of South Africa based but Singapore bred Flax who is the overwhelming favourite to land the $30,000 winner’s prize.
Even jockey Tapuwa Manxusa thinks Flax who has won nine races in Singapore has too much experience in these major races and should win the ultimate prize.
“Flax the number one horse, I think he is the danger. There is also Erakilon, who can also win,” said Manxusa.
Some of the horses expected to battle for the winners cheque include 2014 champion Equina, Lucky Sam, Eurakilon, Silva Hawk, Rock The Country, Print The Pounds, Mathematician, Fah Free, Pacifica and Windigo.
There will be only one Zimbabwean horse in the field, Tallie Two, from the Penny Fisher stable.
