Story by Anashe Murombedzi
SOUTH Africa-based Pocket Watch galloped to victory in Zimbabwe’s only Grade One race, the Castle Tankard, handing trainer Thomas Mason his second title in the country’s premier contest this Saturday.
Twenty horses thundered past the grandstand for the final time, but when the dust settled, it was Pocket Watch who stood tall, delivering a memorable triumph in the prestigious Castle Tankard.
The South African import showed maturity beyond her years to outclass the field in the country’s biggest horse racing event.
Despite her relative inexperience and the demands of a lengthy campaign, the filly found another gear when it mattered most to cap a remarkable performance.
For horse trainer Thomas Mason, who previously lifted the trophy with Action Zone, the latest triumph further cemented his reputation as one of the country’s top horse trainers.
“I am over the moon, ecstatic and a little bit shocked because I did not expect it. A win full of merit for the horse and yes, I am over the moon with three out of three. It is the race every single owner, trainer and groom talks about and next week they will already be talking about next year. The grooms will be stronger again.”
The curtain came down on this year’s Castle Tankard, with horses heading into their winter break as attention slowly shifts towards the next racing season and another shot at glory.
