Michael Fundi and Joe Muya blow serious trumpets at Ngong
Jockey Michael Fundi celebrates atop Bedford while crossing the finishing line during The Spring Run Handicap race at Ngong Racecourse on June 2, 2024.
Up-country trainer, Joe Muya, designed four races in succession to be his very own - but amidst plenty theatrics at Ngong on Sunday. The Johnston Trophy for amateurs and claimers, saw Mo Showers falling, tipping off a shaken Abdullahi Tache.
Thereafter, Joe's fortunes changed, although son, Henry, was unavailable to benefit. Michael Fundi became 'Golden Slipper' jockey of the day as he brought along a quintet of strikers. Joe's, Vuvuzela Umlilo, Star Dream, and, Cranleigh, helped.
Then, Calabash and Prate's Punch finely tuned his batch of muckles.
Jockey Michael Fundi aboard Assured celebrates as Charles Kimani crosses the finish line ahead of Bampton to win the 1600m Eldoret Race Club Cup on October 1, 2023, at Ngong Race Course.
The Nakuru Champion Stakes was dramatic before it even had a moment to roll. Gangster Grace plonked James Muhindi unceremoniously to earth, as she swung sideways from the stalls. James was unhurt, progressing a little later to the enclosure on Hindi Queen.
Darling Me did not run with her usual zest in the Thomas Dewar Mile, nor too did Ten Thirty in HRH Aga Khan's Diamond Jubilee Trophy. Between them, they accrued a loss of nearly 50 lengths.
A past action at Ngong. Joe Muya and Patsy Sercombe bagged hat-tricks at Ngong on March 31, 2019. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
1.00 pm - First Race - The Johnson Trophy (1,800m)
1. Kenny (Samuel Wachira) Wsetonan-Dimattina
2. Karlisle (Nahashon Karanja)
3. Cindy (Lucinda Voorspuy)
4. Grand Surabi (G. Willoughby)
Distance: 1.75/neck/11.5. Time: 1:55:1/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 9-4. Runners: 7
Owned by Luck of the Draw Syndicate. Trainer Julie McCann
1.35 pm - Second Race - The HRH Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee Trophy (2,060m)
1. Vuvuzela Umlilo (Michael Fundi) William Longsword-Caitlin
2. Lewis (Paul Kiarie)
3. Ten Thirty (James Muhindi)
Distance: 1.75/24.75 Time: 2:10:3/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 4-7. Runners: 3
Owned by R. Muigai and Joe Muya. Trainer Joe Muya
2.10 pm - Third Race - Trible Dancer Maiden (2,400m)
1. Star Dream (Michael Fundi)
2. Queen's Ransom (James Muhindi)
3. Cooling Time (Z. Munoru)
Distance: 12.75/27./4.4. Time: 2:41:2/10 secs. Favourite: nothing specific. Runners:4 Owned and trained by Joe Muya
2.45 pm - Fourth Race - Malachite Handicap (1,200m)
1. Hindi Queen (James Muhindi)
2. Eton Star (Lesley Sercombe)
3. Divine Date (Nahashon Karanja)
Welcome Breeze wthdrawn.
Distance. 0.75/11.4/25. Time: 1:12:2/10 secs. Favourite: nothing specific. Runners: 4
Owned by G. Waithera and Joe Muya Junior. Trainer Joe Muya
3.20 pm - Fifth Race - The Thomas Dewar Mile
1. Cranleigh (Michael Fundi) Westonian-Who's Counting
2. Arlington (Paul Kiarie)
3. Treasure Cove (James Muhindi)
4. Darling Me (Nahashon Karanja)
Distance: Time: 1:38:4/10 secs. Favorite: Nothing specific. Runners: 4
Owned by G. Waithera, Joe Muya Junior, and, D. Potts. Trainer Joe Muya
3.55 pm - Sixth Race - The Nakuru Champion Stakes (1,400m)
1. Calabash (Michael Fundi) Westonian-Caitlin
2. The Enigma (Paul Kiarie)
Gangster Grace unloaded James Muhindi after gates opened
Buster withdrawn at the start
Distance: neck. Time: 1:28:9/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 6-4 Runners: 2
Owned by Pembe Mills Limited and Wizza Ranch. Trainer KhayRunasi Bakor
4.30 pm - Seventh Race - Kelele Maiden (1,000m)
1. Pirate's Punch (Michael Fundi)
2. Hot Date (Lesley Sercombe)
3. Silberlanz (James Muhindi)
Distance: 2.4/16.4/2.4. Time: 1:00:9/10 secs Favourite: Winner 4-9 Runners: 4
Owned by Racing Rascals. Trainer Joe Karari
Saturday 5 July - Annual Yearling Sales at Ngong, from noon