James Muhindi steers Coffee Break to Geoffrey Griffin Trophy glory at Ngong

Beeston zoomed off at gladiatorial speed in the Geoffrey Griffin Bowl on Sunday, November 3, 2024,  at Ngong, but was a little ragged by closing time.

Saint Moritz had about 15 lengths to rein the impractical deficit, allowing Coffee Break some important manoeuvring leverage.

Saint Moritz underestimated Beeston's flair, so, that was how it unfastened for Oliver Gray's, Coffee Break, under a substantial syndication

Rahal had a decent start in the Spencer Tryon Cup fizzling to second place after Arlington shredded his project. Lucia Poppova awakened too late to catch third – notable for another date.

Player X is a Valedictorian for future Classics. He lit the Guy Fawkes Handicap sparklers from beginning onwards. Owned by Racing Rascals, this gelding responded lusciously to Henry Muya's requests.

1.00 pm - First Race - Shubh Diwali Handicap (1,000m)

1. Eton Star (Ramazon Wako)

2. Coming Home (Charles Kimani)

3. Allendale (P. Njogu)

Pinamar withdrawn under Veterinary Certificate

Distance: 1/14. Time: 1:00:3/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners: 4)

Owned by J. Wang. Trainer Doctor Patsy Sercombe

1.35 pm - Second Race - The Perry Mason Memorial Trophy (2,400m) (1,800m)

1. Russian Wonder (James Muhindi) Flower Alley-Tsarina

2. Marlow (Paul Kiarie)

3. Cassandra (Charles Kimani)

Bampton was withdrawn at the start

Distance: 5.5/13.75. Time: 2:38:3/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners 4

Owned by J. Ponsonby, Jennifer Radcliffe, Captain. T. Oruya. Trainer Joe Karari

2.10 pm - Third Race - Festivals of Light Maiden (1,00m)

1. Mo Showers (Henry Muya)

2. Act of Genius (Michael Fundi)

3. Lewis (James Muhindi)

Distance: 0.75/5.5/12.4. Time: 1:49:7/10 secs. Favourite: Act of Genius. Runners: 7

Owned and trained by Joe Muya

2.45 pm - Fourth Race - Bonfires and Fireworks Handicap (1,800m)

1. Pitch (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Venetian Link (Michael Fundi)

3. Divine Date (Charles Kimani)

Dalkeith withdrawn under Veterinary Certificate

Distance: 1/2.5/9.5. Time: 2:15:6/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners: 5

Owned by Carol Bremner, Dee Roberts, D. Schneider, A. Lowasser. Trainer Doctor Patsy Sercombe

3.20 pm - Fifth Race - The Geoffrey Griffin Trophy (1,000m)

1. Coffee Break (James Muhindi) Vercingetorix-Bastille Belle

2. Saint Moritz (Lesley Sercombe)

3. Beeston (Charles Kimani)

Distance: 2.4/5.5. Time: 1:53:00 secs. Favourite: All of them. Runners: 3

Owned by B. Dunbar, D. Duncanson, W. Kilburn, Doctor P. Mbugua. Trainer Oliver Gray

3.55 pm - Sixth Race - The Spencer Tryon 7 Furlong Cup

1. Arlington (Paul Kiarie) Westonian-Hatton Gardens

2. Rahal (Michael Fundi)

3. Lucia Poppova (James Muhindi)

4. Twyford (Lesley Secombe)

Distance:  1.5/neck/8. Time: 1:27:3/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 9-4. Runners: 6

Owned by Mary Binks. Trainer Julie McCann

4.30 pm - Seventh Race - Guy Fawkes Handicap (1,400m)

1. Player X (Henry Muya)

2. Carlisle (K. Ngugi)

3. Isle of Crete (Michael Fundi)

Distance: 6.5/4/neck. Time: 1:27:9/10 secs. Favourites: Isle of Crete and Player X. Runners: 4 Owned by Racing Racals. Trainer Joe Karari

The next meeting will be on November 17 - for the Harry Deakin Memorial Bowl, Eldoret Race Club Cup, Thomas Lord Delamere Trophy