Cyclone Freddy, the longest cyclone in recorded history, now 40 days old, has made a spirited attempt at stealing the headlines for the Soprani Cup at Ngong Racecourse this weekend, having battered Nairobi with over 3.5 inches of rain in under 24hrs, which will alter track conditions, making for better racing.
The favourable environment will be bolstered for the crowds and punters as the Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that race day, Sunday, March 19, 2023, will be warm and sunny for the exciting 8-race card.
The main race of the day is the Soprani Cup being run at 4:30 pm and is the unofficial Kenya Derby trial.
The undefeated and record-breaking Saint Moritz owned by Lady Spencer is the favourite, but this is the first time he will run 2060m and is pitted against the spirited and also unrivalled Honeybell Orange, so one horse must lose its unvanquished title.
Scott is the dark horse of this exciting field, having come close to breaking the 1800m record, and has the power over this distance to make things interesting.
The rest of the field for the St Patrick’s Day weekend is an opportunity for owners and trainers to see their horses run after a 3-week break and ahead of the Kenya Derby.
The 1200m Baobab Maiden is an exciting opener to the day with Beeston as the favourite but feisty Eccleton could be a strong contender if he can bridle his loading juju.
The second race of the day, the Morningstar Handicap, another 1200m sprint, has Wimborne as the choice pick with Ripon as the horse to watch for the upset.
The prestigious Air Force Cup is the third race of the day, and is yet another 1200m dash, with Jack Sparrow, trained by Ollie Gray, hoping to ride the luck of the Irish and continue his 6-race winning streak.
Pretty Pearl, ridden by Fundi, has been knocking on the door for a while and the distance should suit her and could give the namesake pirate a serious run.
Empress of Fate should be the dominant force in the 1400m Kiri Te Handicap and the 2:40 pm 1600m Lord McMillan Trophy should be a sure thing one more time with All Over Again, though Westwind could shake some disappointing form and catch a zephyr to make things close.
The pundits have the 3:15 pm Spanish Cup as the closest race of the day with Rosie, Satyan, and Cranleigh as likely to win as the other, but Bampton and Chipping should not be forgotten.
The Arkle Trophy should be safe in the hands of Daytime Girl with the excitable Rahal the most likely to compete.
The fantastic racing is enveloped in a packed day of entertainment with DJ Al and the Mighty Morfin making the finest beats and 254 Brewing will be sampling a selection of craft beers including an Irish special for St Patrick’s Day.
Nairobi’s most fashionable and vogue Sunday space will also host Kenya’s world-famous SuraZuri model agency which will be scouting.
