26 Mar 2017

Horse owners are busy with the preparations as the days for the famous annual Mascom Derby horse race are numbered.
The event which has become the highlight of Maun Easter Holidays calendar would take place on April 15 at Shashe Horse racetrek.
This time the event has attracted many locals who would battle it out with their counterparts from Lesotho and Namibia. The event would feature two categories namely Tswana and Thorough breeds and races would range from 800 metres and 24 000 metres.
 Most horse owners have indicated in an interview that they are ready and determined to win this year. “We are ready to display a sterling performance at the race come Good Friday. We aim to scoop position one and two in most of the races,” said Keapoletswe Keapoletswe.
He explained that he had started training two months back, adding that he would compete in 1.2 and 1.4 metre races respectively. He said although the recent rains affected his training as he missed some weeks, he was ready.
Furthermore, he stated that his horses have not performed well in the previous races and that this time he aims to revenge.
He said foreign horses had been giving locals hard time especially in the grand race and hoped this time local horses from other areas such as Charleshill, Jwaneng would perform up to expectations as most of them started preparations earlier.
For his part, one of the event organisers, Tshepo Tshotlako explained that preparations were progressing well and hoped the event would be successful.
He said registration for races ranging between 800 and 24 000 metres has been closed, adding that a new race 1.8 metres has been introduced. Currently, he noted that eight horses had been registered and seven more were needed in order to close registration.
Tshotlako urged horse owners to hurry up and register as the space was limited.
Charleshill was reported to have the highest number of horses registered for the race, and all horses are to compete in two categories namely Tswana and Thorough breeds.
Tshotlako expressed disappointment about the low turn up of Maun horse owners, noting that the registered number was not impressive. However, just like other horse owners, he also anticipates that local horses would perform better in long distance races this year as they started preparations on time. ENDS