Dog Racing Takes Centre Stage
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 4, 2019 13:13
The Botswana Greyhound Association held their second race of the year dubbed Mmopane Sprint Classics over the weekend.
Last year, the association held six races in various parts of the country such as Tsabong, Manyana, Gaborone and Gantsi.
One of the breeders, Piet Gabosekwe had three dogs blasting to the finishing line ahead of others. His two dogs Quicksilver won the male open speed in a time of 17.27 followed by Thunderbolt in the second spot. Strider came third with Bricks finishing fourth.
He celebrated again when his other dog, Sonic Flight won the under 15 speeds with a time of 17.94. The second spot was claimed by Follow The Leader with Wrong Turn finishing third.
The under 12 cross 200 metres, which was nullified, was won by Mokento followed by a dog named after Zimbabwean president, Mnangagwa. Spear came third followed by Gripen and Special (did not finish). The Under 12 speed 200m was won by Sotchi in 12.65 with No doubt coming second followed by Black velvet.
Gabosekwe told Sport Monitor that the races are meant for greyhounds only because they chase anything that moves. “Greyhounds are easy to train because they run after everything that moves. We start training them at a young age of under nine months. After that we introducd them to competition of doing 200m and they race up to 300m when they are under 15 months,” he said.
He said the intention was to have races on a monthly basis, but they forced to have them in the morning due to extreme hot temperatures.
Other results: Under-15 (consolation) 1. Fear 2. Fighter jet 3. Distance
Under-15 (cross final 300m): 1. Bad girl 2. Man power 3. Sasa Klass
Cross Open (300m): 1. Saulo, 2. Saravinah, 3. Lacey.
Open speed (female): 1. Hot tracer 2. Mirage 3. Priska