Zebaldt Ngaruka 

GOBABIS – The popular horseracing competition called the Summer Derby will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at the Gobabis turf in the Omaheke region.

The competition is one of the country’s top showpieces in Namibia.

It is sponsored by MTC with N$200 000, in addition to trophies and medals for the winners. 

Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA)’s principal development officer Zuma Kavirombo shared with New Era Sport that about 70 horses registered for the prestigious competition, and will vie in 18 sprints.

“This is one of the top events in the horseracing calendar. Various clubs want to close the year on a high note. We expect a huge turnout at Gobabis at this event,” he said.

He added that the NHRA is developing amid sponsorship challenges, and the racing clubs are tuning their clubs by adding new horses. 

“This is amazing, and we are expecting four or more new juvenile horses which will make the debut at the Gobabis competition,” he said.

Amongst the debutant horses is Khamadaitite from Kalahari Turf Club, Ovitoto Racing’s United Nation, High Voltage of Ephat Racing and The Rock from Tsumis Racing Club. 

The notable absentee from the competition is the Popular Aminuis Racing Club horse Visigoth.

The main race for the thoroughbred horses is 2 200 metres.

The Nambreds horses will also sprint the same distance in their category. 

The centre of attraction will be on the import main race, where the likes of Starlile, Woodland Ridge, Unbroken Promises, Equerry and Chief Helmet will battle it out in the high-profile plate. 

In the short distance category, Harambee Racing’s Boma Junior will feature against Fleecy Tibs of Opie Koppie Staale.

Professor Supporters Club’s Bright Queen Muinee-Mupuratene from Aminius Racing, Okahandja Racing’s Katiti-Komambo and Golden Fire from Khomas Turf will also compete in the high profile 1000m sprint.

Another fierce battle is expected in the Nambred D-Divisio, where Miss Lollipop, Shining Diamond and Destiny will compete against two Otjombinde-based horses, Life is Good and Resolution 435.

The imports D-Division horses will fight it tough in Gobabis, as more than 10 horses are registered for the plate.

Top horses like Able Suprise, Mr F, Camarata, Gregor Mc Gregor, Sitting Bull, Desert Fox, Song of Angels, Time Master, Wondering Star and Power Surge are all strong contenders for the D-Division category. 

The Professor Supporters Club’s (PSC) horse, Sunny Side, is expected to deliver in the competition, as it is based and trained at the Gobabis Turf.

Epukiro’s Sitting Bull is already in Gobabis ahead of the competition, and trained with PSC horses with Shining Diamond.

Katjauana Muriambihu of the Omaheke Supporters Club said his prime aim is to keep the main trophy in the Omaheke region. 

The previous competition in Okahandja saw the main race prize being divided amongst horses, as there was no obvious winner.

Kavirombo said it shows that horseracing is growing, and horse owners are putting more emphasis in their horses to compete at the highest level.

The first race will start at 09h00.

Renowned race commentator Diego Tjombe will be joined by horseracing guru Eamon Freygang and Stone Katuuo in the commentary box.

Kavirombo confirmed that there will be live performances from the One Blood music group between intervals.

The damage at the gate will be N$50 for adults, N$20 for childred, whereas N$10 will be charged for cars to enter the turf.

– zngaruka@yahoo.com