Mandla Moyo
MEMBERS of the local horse racing community are excited about the return of the OK Grand Challenge horse race after a year of absence on the domestic racing calendar.
Horse racing analyst Sheldene Chant has given thumbs up to this bold decision taken by the Mashonaland Turf Club to bite the bullet and bring back the competition.
“The 1800m 0K Grand Challenge (Gr2) race will be back at Borrowdale Park on Saturday June 5, 2021. This major event on our racing calendar was cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 lockdown. Congratulations to the sponsors, OK Zimbabwe, and the Mashonaland Turf Club, for biting the bullet and preparing for a return to normality. Hopefully, some of Borrowdale’s other major sponsors will follow suit,” said Chant.
The OK Grand Challenge is one of the biggest horse racing competitions in the country in addition to that it attracts the largest number of fans who come to witness the battles.
Racing conditions horses coming taking part in all Grade (1) and (2) races are supposed to race twice before taking part in the races.
“The MTC has announced that for all (GR1) and (GR2) events at Borrowdale, horses must have had at least one start in Zimbabwe before being nominated for these races,” she added.
The last edition of the OK Grand Challenge was won by Simona with jockey Calvin Habib in the irons training under Stidolph racing.
Away from the green turf battles the Grand Challenge Jackpot promotion has the ability to challenge lives of many due to other prices on offer.
According to the country’s biggest retail chain, this year’s OK Grand Challenge Promotion will have a total of 33 supplier sponsored cash prizes valued at $1, 5 million. Any of its lucky customers will stand to win between April and June, 2021
