Zebaldt Ngaruka
OKAHANDJA – Woodland Ridge of Junius Racing and Aminuis Racing’s (AR) Lady Diamond won the main races at the just-ended August Rush competition in Okahandja on Saturday.
The race event was organised by the Khomas Turf Club, and attracted more than 70 horses that competed in 17 plates.
Woodland Ridge claimed the first place in the main race of thoroughbred horses, whereas Lady Diamond emerged victorious in the Nambred category.
The 2 000 metres (m) distance sprints were the main plates for both import and Namibian-born racehorses.
Woodland Ridge took home a trophy and N$9 000 as the thoroughbred main race winner.
The champion horse was followed by Prince Resano from the Professor Supporters Club (PSC) in second place, while Otjinene Supporters Club’s Earl of Cardigan came third.
The Otjinene-based horse left behind Okahandja Racing’s popular horse Starlile and Visigoth from AR in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Lady Diamond was challenged by another top horse from Aminuis-based Harambee Racing, called Boma, in second place, whereas PSC’s strong contender Sunny Side came third in a high-profile plate.
Lady Diamond, also known as Lady D, pocketed N$7 500 cash, in addition to the trophy.
Amongst other races, Queen Brittania, the current First National Bank July Handicap thoroughbred winner in Okondjatu recently, continued with its top form and emerged victorious in the 1 800m of import D division horses.
The Angermund Racing’s horse was followed by Song of Angels from Efat Racing in second place, while Naris Turf Club’s (NTC) Emoticon settled for third position.
The two Otjombinde-based horses, Resolution 435 and Life is Good under Tallismanus Racing, respectively came first and second in the 1 800m of the Nambred D division horses.
Kopano Turf Club (KTC)’s promising horse won the 1 600m of the Nambred horses, and was challenged by KTC’s Golden Fire in second position, leaving behind Boma Junior from Harambee Racing in third place.
The 1 600m sprint of the imported horses was won by Unbroken Promises from NTC, with two OSC’s horses in the name of Chief Helmet and Equerry claiming second and third places, respectively.
Epukiro Racing’s only participant horse, Sitting Bull went home with a fourth spot in one of the highly-contested plates.
Woodland Ridge manager Enrico ‘Oom Toes’ Junias said he is overwhelmed by the horse’s performance, adding that the newly-bought horse produced stellar performance in both lower and top divisions.
“I bought it in April this year for the Botswana top competitions, but the jockey struggled with it at first. In Namibia, it won five consecutive competitions, and that is why it is a top horse now, and today’s victory is proof,” he said.
He added that Woodland Ridge failed to win in Okahandja, as the starting stalls gate failed to open on par with other horses.
“It finished fourth, and some people wrote it off, but I had confidence in it,.as I know the bloodline it came from. It came from top performing horses in South Africa’s Bercintorix, a top sire,” he noted.
The manager also shared that he is receiving offers from people who want to buy Woodland Ridge, but it is not for sale. AR’s Nongoo Katjiuanjo said the club is happy with Lady Diamond’s victory, amid its new behaviour.
“Horses are animals. Lady D developed a new behaviour of not coming out of starting stalls, and that has affected its performance in previous competitions, including recent July Handicap,” he said.
He added that Visigoth did not perform as expected due to the trainer who was ill, and said other horses like Blonde Act, Miss K and Desert Fox will be back on the turf soon.
“Time was against us – but overall, we are happy, and looking forward to the next competition,” he said. – zngaruka@yahoo.com