Ngure guides Ten Thirty to fourth victory

By Oscar Pilipili

Ten Thirty ridden by David Ngure for trainer Simon Wachira and owned by Mary Binks earned the confidence of many, winning the feature race — Merchants Purse at Ngong Racecourse.

The four-year-old filly, Ten Thirty, beat stable mate Clancy by a half-length to win the race that attracted six runners. The race with all participants above 35 at rating produced a promising chance at one point moving at similar pace in one line except for Al Barak ridden by Dennis Kiprotich, who trailed to the finish.

The meeting pulled a reasonable crowd with seven races on card, but most of the punters were disappointed when the machines went down for some time, missing bets for the first five races.

1.05 FIRST RACE — THE PLUM HANDICAP (2,400M)

1. Sifi Moyo ..... (Ibrahim Wachira)

2. Zoroastrian ..... (N. Kisilu)

3. Kamari........ (J. Mihindi)

Distance: 3l, 1 1/2l, 1/2l. Time: 2.38.4 seconds. Favourite: Damara. Runners: 5. Winnner owned by Rainbow Warriors.

1.40 PM: SECOND RACE — THE GRAPE HANDICAP (1,000M)

1. Chiquita ...... (J. Lokorian)

2. Creekside ...... (D. Ngure)

3. Bunny Chow (SAF)... C. Mwangi)

Distance: 1/2l, 4l, 3l. Time: 1:01.6 seconds. Favourite: Chiquita. Runners: 6. Winner owned by Mr P. L. Mahajan.

2.15 PM: THIRD RACE — THE MELON HANDICAP (1,600M)

1. Spoonerism ..... (I. Wachira)

2. Rock Star....... (Le Sercombe)

3. The Dude........ (J.McCann)

Distance: 5l, NK, 2. Time: 1.42.5 seconds. Favourite: Gabriella. Runners: 9. Winner owned by Mr and Mrs Al Grammaticas.

2.50 PM: FOURTH RACE — THE MANGO MAIDEN (1,000M)

1. Arvada....... (Le Sercombe)

2. Silverdale...... (E. Kiptoo)

3. Bongoman ....(I. Wachira)

Distance: 3l, 1l, 1/2l. Time: 1.03.4. Favourite Silverdale. Tote win: 5.10. Runners: 12. Winner owned by Mrs M. B. Binks.

3.25 PM: FIFTH RACE — THE MERCHANT’S PURSE (1,800M)

1. Ten Thirty ..... (D. Ngure)

2. Clancy ..........(P. Kiarie)

3. Executrix . . . . . (J. McCann)

Distance: 1/2, Sh, 1 !/4l. Time: 1:56.7. Favourite: Ten Thirty. Tote Win:2.0. Places: 1.7, 1.3, 1.4. Exacta: 9.0. Runners: 6. Winnner owned by MB Binks.

3.55PM: SIXTH RACE — THGE PASSION HANDICAP (1,400M)

1. CAMELAY ......(J. McCann)

2. Moschatel . ..... (Le Sercombe)

3. Verdi ............... (I. Wachira)

Distance: 1/2l, 3l, 2l. Time: 1:29.5. Favourite: 1 Moschatel. Tote Win5.2. Places: 2.7, 1.2, 3.0. Exacta: 10.1. Runners: 9. Winner owned by Mr R. Karlsen.

4.30 PM: SEVENTH RACE — THE APPLE HANDICAP (1,600M)

1. CASCABEL ....... (Jacob Lokorian)

2. Arabuka .......(Robert Kibet)

3. Maverick ....... (David Ngure)

Distance: 1/2, 2 1/2, 7l. Time: 1: 42.4. Tote win: 3.4. Exacta: 12.8. Places: None. Favourite: 3. Runners: 4. Winner owned by Mr N. Sarif and Mrs F. Puchercos. Jackpot: 4, 5, 6 and 7. Place Pot: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.