The Samoa Racing Club held its annual Independence meet last Saturday at the Tuana’imato Race course culminating this year’s 56th Independence celebrations. 

A crowd of about 3,000 enjoyed and witnessed the four races on the programme with 36 entries of village horses from as far as the villages of Solaua, Nofoalii, Fasito’o, Alesia, Si’usega, and Vaiusu.

The main race being the 1,000 meter sprint sponsored by Vailima Breweries which saw a hard fought battle among the nine entries.

But there could only be one winner.

On the day, it was aged gelding Holiday from Fasito’o, owned and trained by Tanuvasa Vaotogo, that edged out and won by the nose a strong challenge from Laiititi Ae Maini, a filly owned and trained by the Meredith Stables in Siusega.

President Tuilaepa Peter Rash hailed the event a success.

“We would like to encourage village horse owners to enter their horses in our next meet to be held during the Teuila Festival this year,” he said. 

“One of our feature race is where the rider stops and collects coconuts before hopping on and continue to the finish line (fai ga popo) as is done at their plantations.”

It was a fun day for the young and old. But there is more to come.

Other Results:

Race 1

1. Young Queen

2. Krissy

3. Ave Ma Oe

Race 2

1. Holiday

2. Laiititi Ae Mainl

3. Sau Ta O

Race 3

1. Vailima

2. Panikeke

3. Maso

Race 4 - Vailima Challenge

1. Holiday

2. Laiititi Ae Mainl

3. Sau Ta O