Record sum on offer as prize money at N’ Eliya horse races on March 20
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With a record sum on offer as prize money, over 60 horses will be seen in action when the newly formed Royal Turf Club (RTC) commence its races at the refurbished Nuwara Eliya Racecourse on March 20 beginning at 10.30am. For the first time in Sri Lanka’s horse racing history, a staggering amount of Rs. 2 Million will be offered as prize money, while entrance to the races would be free of charge.
With the intention of eradicating manipulation from the sport, the RTC, for the first time will follow anti-doping procedures. In addition a photo finish system will be installed to ensure accuracy to determine the winner, if a race completes in a tight finish. The RTC will go down in history when they allow three foreign judges to take command of the entire racing event.
President of the newly formed RTC, Suranjith Premadasa said that these steps have been taken in a bid to ensure fair play and bring back the glamour and flair of the races which has been absent for several decades.
He went on to say that horse racing is now gaining in popularity and several past owners who had virtually given up the sport are once again entering the event. “We expect several foreign jockeys also to take part as well. We have taken over the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse on lease for a period of two years and as at now have spent over Rs. 100 Million on a complete overhaul of the race course and renovate all the buildings with new furniture and other equipment. In addition accumulated water, electricity and other taxes too were paid which totaled to another Rs. 10 Million,” Premadasa stated.
Premadasa emphasised that subsequent to the formation of the RTC, steps have been taken to improve the dilapidated racecourse which now comes under the purview of the Sugathadasa Stadium management. He said that the 1,700-metre track was re-laid according to international standards, with the garden area too being redone. “We have also redeveloped the stables area, grand stand, the VIP and Sponsors’ areas and have even installed a special medical room.” According to the CEO, Wayne Wood eight races will be held on March 20,
which will be the inaugural event to be hosted by the RTC, with the highest prize money of Rs. 585,000 and Cup being offered for the first five places of the RTC Premier Cup Class 1, Stakes 1600M race. For the Gamini Dissanayake Memorial Cup a cash award of Rs. 482, 500 and a trophy will be presented to the first five places of the Class 2, Stakes 1,400M race. Each of the Class 3 (1,200M) and 3-year-old Maiden stakes 1,100M races will offer a cash award of Rs. 387, 500 and a trophy to the winner with priz e money distributed up to the fifth place finishers.