Namibians blame inexperience for poor race
Boniface Keakabetse | Thursday April 9, 2015 14:31
He said unlike last year, they brought inexperienced horses and hoped that by next year’s event, the horses would be familiar with the competition and hence acquit themselves well.
They brought a total of seven horses, which were chosen from national trials in Namibia.
“We held trials exclusively for this competition. All the horses we brought here won races in Namibia,” he said. He said his government helped horse owners with transportation for the Mascom Derby.
Botswana flag flew high as local horses ran riot over their opponents from neighbouring countries.
In the previous years, horses from neighbouring countries dominated the Derby but they found the going tough this time around as local horses upped their game.
Botswana horses were the overall winners. More than 139 horses competed in the Tswana and thoroughbred categories in races ranging from 800 to 2, 400 metres.
This year’s event however started on a disappointing note as it was delayed from Saturday to Sunday due to rainfall in Maun.
This led to a waterlogged race venue and the event had to be shifted to Sunday. However on Sunday, the situation was still chaotic as the racing course was not adequately prepared.
It had to be delayed for more than five hours as the organisers brought earthmovers to dig out some stumps, while the crowd waited patiently.
John Douglas from Charles Hill, owned by Stephen Monare was the winner of the grand 2,400 metres race followed by Namibian horse, Back to Bowler.
Another local horse, Body Builder from Jwaneng came third.