Western Ballad still number one Kenya Gold Cup swinger

Western Ballad drew her customary veil over Notorious by 1.5 lengths, to earn points in the Kenya Gold Cup, George Drew Series.

Daniel Tanui maintained a stiff upper chin to defend a fairly keen Notorious and Knighthood - both to be commended for their roles in the 3,200m marathon. 

It was music to punters' wallets as they urged Chuck and Maralynn Bengough's, Western Ballad, to squirrel away her tenth win.

Tanui had also just earlier pasted the Britam General Handicap on Wakini Ndegwa's, Bestow. 

The meeting at Ngong was nothing less than astounding, with only a single wrinkle to mention -  no bookmakers.

Reliance lay at Totalisator payouts. The Britam Kenya Guineas was dynamised by Lesley Sercombe riding Mrs. Michael Spencer's, White Dragon.

No rocket surgery was required as White Dragon tore free by seven flavoursome lengths from Clothes Horse, and Busselton - molecularly tight for second place, by a nose.

Bulawayo paddled along in fourth, with Deon Sampson, while the others were already re-setting their alarms for another day. 

NGONG RESULTS

12.40 pm - First Race - Britam Pensions Maiden  (1,000m)

1. Quickfire (Richard Kibet)

2. Kidnap (Michael Micino)

3. Tenacious (Jacob Lokorian)

Top Notch refused to enter stalls

Distance: 6.5/2.75/2.4/4. Time: 1:02:5/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners: 6

Owned by Mim Haynes. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

1.15 pm - Second Race -  Britam General Insurance Handicap (2,400m)
1. Bestow (Daniel Tanui)

2. Iced Waterfall (Michael Micino)

3. Frisco (Dinesh Sooful)

Distance:2.5/8.5/8/6.75. Time: 2:39:6/10 secs. Favourite: Iced Waterfall. Runners: 7

Owned and trained by Wakini Ndegwa

1.50pm - Third Race - The Britam Micro Insurance Kenya Gold Cup - George Drew Series (3,200m)
1. Western Ballad (Daniel Tanui) Go Deputy-Western Serenade

2. Notorious (Deon Sampson)

3. Knighthood (Lesley Sercombe)

4. Tenby (Richard Kibet)

Distance: 1.5/half/0.75/8. Time: 3:29:00 secs. Favourite: Winner 4-6. Runners: 5

Owned by Chuck and Maralynn Bengough. Trainer Maralynn Bengough

2.25pm - Fourth Race - Britam Life Assurance Handicap (2,060m)

1. Eternal (Henry Muya)

2. Seattle Spire (Brendon McNaughton)

3. Marico (Richard Kibet)

Distance: 4.4/1.4/0.75/0.75. Time: 2:12:1/10 secs. Favourite: Fire Fighter. Runners: 8

Owned and trained by Joe Muya

2.40pm - Fifth Race - Britam Property Handicap (1,200m)

1. Shaman (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Crixus (Dinesh Sooful)

3. Istanbul (Richard Kibet)

Let's Dance and River Run withdrawn under Veterinary Certificate

Grand Opera refused to enter stalls

Distance: nose/3.75/1.4/2. Time: 1:14:6/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 7-4. Runners: 7

Owned by Mim Haynes and Carol Bremner.  Trainer Patsy Sercombe

3.35pm - Sixth Race - The Britam Kenya Guineas (1,600m)

1. White Dragon (Lesley Sercombe) Await the Dawn-Spanish Wisdom

2. Clothes Horse (Richard Kibet)

3. Busselton (Daniel Tanui)

4. Bulawayo (Deon Sampson)

5. Winter Comet (Mark Mburu)

Distance: 7/nose/1.4/8.5. Time: 2:22:8/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 7-4. Runners: 8

Owned by Mrs. Michael Spencer. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

4.05 pm - Seventh Race - Britam Medical Insurance Maiden (1,800m)

1. Zodi West (Michael Micino)

2. Pepper Wood (Lesley Sercombe)

3. Harbour Bay (Henry Muya)

Distance:  short-head/head/1/0.75. Time: 1:55:4/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners: 11

Owned by Justin Mburu. Trainer Onesmus Mutua

4.45 pm - Eighth Race - Britam Asset Graham Trophy (1,400m)

1. Pharoah's Advocate (Lesley Sercombe) The Sheik-J'Adore

2. Wall of Fire (Brendon McNaughton)

3. Dreamliner (James Muhindi)

4. South Lodge (Richard Kibet)

Distance: 2.75/0.75/half/half. Time: 1:26:4/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 5-4. Runners: 6

Owned by The Galloping Geriatrics. Trainer Patsy Sercombe.

Next meeting February 4 - for the Drap D'Or Trophy, and, Stewards Handicap Cup