Wouldbe Empress impresses at Ngong Racecourse

By Oscar Pilipili

Wouldbe Empress, ridden by Lesley Sercombe, owned by John Hawley and trained by Patsy Sercombe, lived up to rating as tote favourite to win Venus Handicap race at Ngong Racecourse.

Empress beat Southern Star with Robert Kibet in the saddle by 4.5 length in winning time of 1:2/10sec during the meeting that attracted six races on the card.

NGONG RESULTS

1.20PM: First race - Mars Handicap (1,600m)

1. Morgiana (Jacob Lokorian)

2. Legend Maker (Elias Kiptoo)

3. Squireen (Ibrahim Wachira) Distance: 62.5/1.5/6.5/neck; Time: 1:44:9/10 secs; Favourite: Winner; Runners: 6; Owned by Mary Binks; Trainer Julie McCann

1.55PM: Second Race - Pluto Handicap (1,4000m)

1. Swan Queen (Henry Muya)

2. Halfmoon Bay (James Muhindi)

3. Thunder King (Lesley Sercombe) Distance: 2, 5, 9.5, 8.5 Time: 1:27:8/10 secs. Favourite: Thunder King. Runners: 6 Owned and trained by Joe Muya.

2.30PM: Third Race - Saturn Handicap (2,060m)

1. Mulligan (James Muhindi)

2. Drummond (Elias Kiptoo)

3. Kijito (Jacob Lokorian)

Distance: 2.5/3.75/3.5/half Time: 2:13:8/10 secs. Favourite: Silverdale Runners: 6 Owned and trained by Joe Muya

3.05PM: Fourth Race - Venus Handicap (1,000m)

1. Wouldbe Empress (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Southern Star (Robert Kibet)

3. Grandee (Dennis Kiprotich) Distance: 4.5/3/1/short-head Time: 1:2/10 secs. Favourite: winner. Runners: 7 Owned by John Hawley. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

3.40PM: Fifth Race - Jupiter Handicap (2,060m)

1. Lord Thomas (Patrick Mungai)

2. Blonde Ambition (Nickolas Kisilu)

3. Boudica (Daniel Tanui)

Distance: 0.75/3.75/9.4/7.5 Time: 2:15:2/10 secs. Favourite: Winner. Runners:7 Owned by David Armstrong. Trainer Nur Nuno

4.15PM: Sixth Race - Mercury Maiden (1,200m)

1. Century Lights (James Muhindi)

2. Woodlands (Jacob Lokorian)

3. Al Buk (Lesley Sercombe)

Distance: 8.4/2.5/8/neck Time: 1:13:4/10 secs. Favourite: winner. Runners: 7 Owned by David Armstrong. Trainer Oliver Gray

Next Meeting February 20, for the Fillies Guineas.