Gallop’s on for Lopez

The Berlin November race prize-money helped local horse breeder Lopez Magongo, from Ndevana, increase his horses to 10 and also to send one of his highly experienced jockeys to a riding academy. Magongo saddled four horses in the premier traditional horse-racing spectacle at the Berlin November last year and he managed to win the MTN Wafa Wafa indigenous horse-race.

In the first 1,000 metres thoroughbred race last year two of his horses Ndanditshilo and Sakhesibone came in second and third. Magongo will on Saturday be relying on his jockey Sandile Xoza, who saddles Ndanditshilo, to scoop the first position, and the prze money that comes with it, in the indigenous division.

Xoza, 25, and Ndanditshilo make a formidable pair.

Last year they came in second in the 1,200 metres indigenous horse-race final. Sakhesibone, Magongo’s second horse competed at the last year’s instalment of the 1,400 metres race at the Berlin November – she was also ridden by Xoza.

“My horses really did well last year. They came in third position and second position in the thoroughbred, then we won the final of the indigenous horses.

“That money helped me buy two more horses, now my horses have increased to 10 and I’ll also be sending my jockey to school with that school next year.

“So I think we stand a good chance of winning the final race this year again in the indigenous race,” said Magongo.

He said he was confident that Xoza and Philasande Mxuli will stamp their authority on the race track in their much anticipated showdown.

“I know they will pull at least one upset once again in Berlin. We just won the provincial championships that were recently held in Butterworth, for the second year in a row, last month.

“And I would say that has helped us prepare for the grand finale of a race.”

But his secret weapon will be his star jockey Philasande Mxuli who has been able to saddle more than two of his racing horses.

“Philasande is the only jockey from this province that will be heading to professional training next year.

“I’ve paid for him with the proceed from our winnings at last year’s Berlin November race.

“So next year Mxuli will be going to the South African Jockey Academy (Saja) and I believe he’ll be one of the best jockeys this country has ever seen.

“This year he won the provincial championships, where he won the 1,400 with my other horse named Kwazibani – who will also be competing at this year’s Berlin November,” said Magongo.

He added that the only opponent whom he thought would bring a challenge to everyone participating in the race would be Jonas Mokoena from Qwa-Qwa in the Free State.

Mokoena’s horse Secret Boy last year came first in the MTN Wafa Wafa thoroughbred 1400 race finale, beating the likes of local star horses Andazi from Butterworth and his sibling Asinamali.

Both local horses are expected to challenge for top honours the year.

“It’s not that I’m scared to see what Jonas [Mokoena’s] horses can do this year, but I know he’s going to be tough to beat in every race he enters.

“But fortunately for me I’ve got enough time to prepare my horses and good thing that all of my horses are in good health.”