Zebaldt Ngaruka
Namibian horse-racing clubs have set their attention on the upcoming August Rush horse-racing competition, set for Okahandja on 24 August.
New Era Sports caught up with some of the horse racing clubs and individual horse owners on their preparations for the prestigious event, to be hosted by Khomas Turf Club (KTC) in the Garden Town.
KTC’s Chantal Mouton said the event is approaching, and the club is not sleeping, as everything must be in order as per horse-racing protocol.
“As a hosting club, we must make sure that we are ahead of other clubs in terms of preparation. Our horses are in excellent condition, except our main horse Global Forest, which is currently recovering from an injury, and will not participate in this August Rush,” he noted.
Aminuis Racing’s Nongoo Katjiuanjo said their club is nursing injuries to some of their top horses, but they will give fair competition in Okahandja.
“We have injuries here and there, but we are confident. As time goes, we will be on top of our game, and shine,” he stated.
Horse owner Eamon Freygang said he will bring four horses to the August Rush in the name of Stoute Man, Mboma, Mr F and Unbroken Promises.
“My horses are in good shape, and responding well to the training. They have a good record. I am confident of victory in Okahandja, and I do not fear anyone,” he said confidently.
The Otjinene Supporters Club’s vice chairperson Katjauana Muriambihu said they are hungry for victory, and preparations are in full swing.
“We are coming from the July Handicap competition with good results after scooping the first and second places. Our top horse Earl of Cardigan surprised us when it came sixth in the main race of the competition,” he said.
Angermund Racing’s Willem Lotsch noted that the champion of the July Handicap, Queen Brittania, will be accompanied by five other horses to the competition. “We know that the attention will be on Queen Brittania, but our main horse, La Luvia, will surprise many in the long-distance sprint. La Luvia is a rough horse, and we will not fear any horse in the long sprint,” he claimed.
Zuma Kavirombo from Professor Supporters Club (PSC) said preparation is going accordingly, and the club has a clean health bill. The PSC will take six horses to the prestigious event, and is confident of victory.
“We are looking forward to the competition, and support our fellow host club for the development of horse-racing sports in the country,” he added.
Okahandja Racing’s Mannes Hendricks said all horses are injury-free and ready to shine on their home turf.
“We have a home-ground advantage. Our horses are familiar with the turf, and the crowd is always behind us,” he stated.
He added that the club’s popular horse, Starlile, regained form, and it always does well in Okahandja.
“It is an old historic horse, and age is just a number, but we prefer to race it once a month,” he noted.
The club’s new Nambred horse Katiti Komambo will make its debut at the prestigious competition.
The chairperson of Epukiro Racing, Iritjiua Murangi, said the Omaheke-based club is ready, and will only take one horse to the event in the name of Sitting Bull.
“Our supporters must go to Okahandja in numbers, and support the horse-racing sport. We did not do well recently at the July Handicap, but that is part of the competition,” he acknowledged. He added that the other club horse, Bright Eye, will be rested for the upcoming event.
“Our eyes will be now on our newly purchased horse Sitting Bull, which will compete in the 1 000 metre and 1 800 metre distances of the Thoroughbred horses.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com