Governor's Cup Nuwara Eliya Race Meet on April 13

By Jith Pieris

The highlight of the 2008 Nuwara Eliya season will be the Hilton’s Governor’s Cup. As the Colombo Hilton as part of its 21 years of celebrations will support this traditional event. It is 122 years of the Governors Cup. This year it will be at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course on April 13th commencing at 10.30 a.m.. The fashionable trends with beautifully turned out hats will contribute to the pomp and glory of the event. Lovely ladies among elegantly clad gentlemen would be seen amongst thorough bred horses. The distance they will compete would be 9 furlongs a 1800 meters in their respective category.

Since the sponsorship will be by Colombo Hilton each race being named after a person who has contributed immensely towards the advancement of the Hotel, a particular association, an outlet or the name of team members of the Hotel as in 'Gables Trophy' for thorough bred horses class IV, 'Echelon Classic' for Sri Lankan horses ¾ bred, 'Lady Hilton Classic' running Sri Lankan horses ½ bred, 'Hilton Pioneers Trophy' for thoroughbred horses class III 'The Gamini Fernando Memorial Plaque' for the thoroughbred horses class II and the "HILTON COLOMBO GOVERNOR’S CUP' for thorough bred horses class I.

William Costly General Manager Hilton Colombo said he was happy to be associated with the event as his father too was a horse racing enthusiast. The Chairman of the board of stewards of the Sri Lanka Turf Club Rajan Sellamuttu said the governor's cup was started after 1991 and today there is a dearth of low weight riders. Since most of them have gone over to the Middle East.

Entries close on April 7th at 10.00 am, handicaps will be out on April 9th and the declaration will be on April 10th by 10.00 am, with all races being run as per rules of racing of the Sri Lanka Turf Club.