Sercombe rides Megastar to victory at Ngong

By OSCAR PILIPILI

After a two-week break, Ngong Racecourse came alive on Sunday with a bumper race meeting that saw Megastar, ridden by Leslie Sercombe, clinch the main race - Niko na Safaricom Handicap for the Uhuru Cup - by almost two lengths.

The meeting, sponsored by mobile telephone service provider Safaricom, witnessed Tiffany Blue, ridden by visiting jockey Timothy Pretorius from Zimbabwe, finish second ahead of Verdi, with Henry Muya atop. The 1,600m race attracted six runners.

Earlier, Leslie Sercombe, atop Potpourri, had claimed the second race —Sambaza Handicap — raced over 2,060m by four lengths. Blonde Ambition, ridden by Jacob Lokorian, came second slot. Spoonerism, ridden by Ibrahim Wachira, was third in the race that attracted nine runners.

RESULTS

12.10pm — First race — Okoa Jahazi Handicap (1,600m)

1. Perfect Storm (Jacob Lokorian) 2. Waiyaki (Ibrahim Wachira) 3. Who’s Counting (Leslie Sercombe) Distance:neck/1.75/3.5/3.3Time: 1:45:2/10 secs Favourite: Winner Runners: 7. Jacob’s Creek withdrawn, Owned by Elas and Romolo Severini.Trainer Julie McCann.

12.40pm — Second Race — Sambaza Handicap(2,060m)

1. Potpourri (Leslie Sercombe).

2. Blonde Ambition (Jacob Lokorian)

3. Spoonerism (Ibrahim Wachira).

Distance:4.75/2.75/2.5/2.5 Time: 2:15. Favourite: winner. Runners:9, Owned by Sir David and Lady Sarah Markham. Trainer: Patsy Sercombe.

1.10pm — Third Race — Uwezo Tariff Handicap (1,600m.)

1. Lord Thomas (Patrick Mungai).

2. Boadica (Paul Kiarie).

3. Popaway (Leslie Sercombe) Distance:1.5/1.5/9.4/4.75/. Time:1:43:9/10 secs Favourite: Thunder King. Runners: 10, Owned by David Armstrong. Trainer Nur Nuno.

1.40pm — Fourth Race — Sakata Ball Maiden (1,400m).

1. Skeleton Coast (Julie McCann).

2. Inyordreams (Patrick Mungai).

3. Thunder King (Timothy Pretorius)

Distance: half/2.4/3.5/head. Time: 1:30:6/10 secs. Favourite:

Thunder King. Runners: 10, Owned by

David Armstrong. Trainer Julie Mc

Cann.

2.15pm — Fifth Race — Niko Na Safaricom Handicap for the Uhuru Cup (1,600m).

1. Megastar (Leslie Sercombe).

2. Tiffany Blue (Timothy Pretorius).

3. Verdi (Henry Muya).

Distance:1.75/neck/half/short-head. Time: 1:41:2/10 secs. Favourite: Winner. Runners: 6, Owned by Jenner/Patel/Brewis/Sir David and Lady Sarah Markham. Trainer Patsy Sercombe.

2.50pm — Sixth Race — MPesa Terms H. V. Pirie Trophy (1,400m)

1. Borodin (Ibrahim Wachira)

2. Lazrin (Patrick Mungai)

3.Fair and Square (Lesley Sercombe)Distance: 1.5/9.5/1/1.75. Time: Favourite: Lazrin. Runners: 7,Owned by Romi and A Grammaticas.