Zebaldt Ngaruka
PLESSIS PLAAS – Top Namibian racehorses Earl of Cardigan and Lady Diamond, respectively from Otjinene Supporters Club (OSC) and Aminuis Racing (AR) won the main races at the Horse Racing Independence Bash held at Gobabis turf on Saturday in Omaheke region.
The competition under the auspices of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA) was organised by Epukiro Racing (ER) in collaboration with Standard Bank Namibia.
It attracted 121 horses and vied for N$200 000 in addition to trophies and medals.
Earl of Cardigan scooped first place in the import open 2200 metres (m), which was the main race for Thoroughbred horses whereas Lady Diamond triumph in the A-Division 2000m the principal race for Nambred horses.
The Otjinene based horse, Earl of Cardigan, was followed by the Blonde Act from AR in second place while WT Racing’s Able Surprise claimed the third spot.
The popular Okahandja Racing’s horse Starlile settled for fourth place in a highly contested sprint.
The plate attracted the attention of many horse fanatics following its controversial ending at the recent MTC Summer Derby in Okahandja, where the accolade for the winner was shared between the three horses after failure to produce a clear winner.
In the Nambred main race, which was categorised as Aminuis affairs, saw AR’s Lady Diamond winning the first position, challenged by Boma from Harambee Racing in second place while Waterloo and Sunny Side respectively claimed third of fourth positions.
In another high-profile sprint, the D-Division 1800 m, Global Forest from Khomas Turf Club emerged a victor, followed by Ephat Racing’s Song of Angels in second place while Lilly of Orange of De Waal Racing came third.
Okahandja based Vang en Los shone in 1400m open category of Thoroughbred horses, challenged by OSC’s Equerry in the second spot while another popular horse from AR Visigoth settled for the third place in a one of the highly contested plate.
Bright Eye from the host club also emerged victorious in the Nambred D-Division category and took home a trophy.
The Epukiro based horse also came second to Rehoboth based Destiny in the short distance of 1000 m, leaving behind Talk to Me from Kopano Turf Club.
In an interview with the New Era Sport desk, Katjauana Progarius Muriambihu, who is the Chairperson of OSC, said he is overwhelmed by Earl of Cardigan performance.
“I was confident that we would do well in Gobabis, and that transpired. I told fellow competitors that I will emerge in my home region, and they don’t have a chance here,” said Muriambihu.
In addition to cash prizes, each winning horse in the last four major sprints took home trophies and medals.
One of the event organisers, Ngatuuane Hange, said the highly attended competition went accordingly, and the spectators behaved well.
“It was a huge turnout, and that shows the development of this sport. Our aim is to promote this sport to reach high level, and we hope to host it at our constituency Epukiro as well,” said Hange.
The famous One Blood and Ongoro Nomundu music groups entertained the spectators at the Independence Bash. -zngaruka@yahoo.com