Charlatan cantered its way to win the inaugural Kunigal Stud Magic Million Race
In what could be termed as a repeat of the last held Governor’s Cup race in 2015 and its reconfirmation, owner Deepthika Jayakody had the last laugh after her Class I Quality Handicap horse, Charlatan cantered its way to win the inaugural Kunigal Stud Magic Million Race at the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya yesterday.
Action at Nuwara Eliya last afternoon. Pix by Shanuka Aravinda
The main race of the day had all winning jockeys of the held four races in line for his second and big win but Indian Irvan Singh became the ultimate winner as he rode last year’s Governor’s Cup winner Charlatan to victory and claim the cash reward of Rs. 1 Million for owner Deepthika Jayakody. The 1800-metre race had a full offer of Rs 1.75 Million as cash reward for the first three places and Jayakody’s remaining two stallions Alcazaba and Roswlad helped make it a clean sweep, after winning the second and third places respectively.
“It’s a great win and a repeat of the Governor’s Cup in 2015. The same three horses of mine – Charlatan, Alcazaba and Rowald – made a similar finish last year. And it’s a wonderful feeling to have the same winning feeling but with more thrill,” stated Deepthika Jayakody after receiving the winning cup from chief guest, Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya.
Last year the now defunct Governor’s Cup race was confirmed as null and void and a re-race, scheduled was not conducted by its organisers Sri Lanka Turf Club. Yesterday’s main races, conducted by the newly formed Royal Turf Club, had all the glamour but less competing horses in the main event, the Kunigal Stud Magic Million. However it had six top runners in fray, Atlantus and Sun Kingdom owned by Hasanga Jayaratne and Festival City owned by Angali Stables, who had a late start. Unlike last year, where Jayaratne’s Atlantus had to experience the same, the race had no protest and the results were officially confirmed.
WADA medical team led by Dr. Sivali Jayawickrema was also present at the races yesterday
The day’s event started off giving Hasanga Jayaratne and jockey A. Imran Khan their first win as Icelandic claimed the Minsitry of Tourism Cup. The winning jockey of the main race, Irvan Singh was placed second but he claimed the second race, giving Isira Dassanayake his first win after riding Ice Mint to victory in the RTC Queens Cup. Jayaratne Stables had a clean sweep in the Blackpool Hotel Cup claiming the three finishes through Don Hasam ridden by A. Vishwanath, Perfect and Crimson Quest ridden by S. Selvaraj and S. Suganthan respectively.
Prior to the main race Anuka Soza’s horse, Cosmopolitan, ridden by local jockey Dhinesh, won the Sumathi Cup ahead of Christmas Cake and Stormy Petrel. The sixth race for RTC Nuwara Eliya Cup was won by Reabath owned by Vasanthi Stables while Queen of the Hill owned by R.M.C.K. Rajapaksha won the final race of the day for the Araliya Green Hills Hotel Cup.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Anti Doping Agency (SLADA) conducted doping tests on horses as confirmed by its Director General, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrama. He confirmed that urine samples of two unnamed horses from the main race were collected and will be tested promptly.
Upon an inquiry if SLADA had received any reports of horses dying due to steroid intakes Dr. Jayawaickrama stated: “We have conducted doping test on horses for all races conducted by the Royal Turf Club since March. SLADA has not officially received any information or complaints with regard to horse deaths in the recent weeks. We cannot comment on any media reports or letters if there are any. We can confirm that so far there has been none”.
Results
Race 1: Ministry of Tourism Cup (Class III Handicap 1400m)
1. Icelandic (A.Imran Khan), 2. Indian Epic (Irvan Singh), 3. Supreme (S.D. Mahesh)
Race 2: RTC Queens Cup (Class II Set Weight 2000m)
1. Ice Mint (Irvan Singh), 2. Arrabian Gold (S.D. Mahesh), 3. Sussex Downs (Dhinesh)
Race 3: Blackpool Hotel Cup (Class IV Handicap 1600m)
1. Don Hasa (A. Vishwanath), 2. Perfect (S. Selvaratnam), 3, Crimson Quest (S. Suganthan)
Race 4: Sumathi Cup (Class V Handicap 1400m)
1. Cosmopolitan (Dhinesh), 2. Christmas Cake (M. Mohanraj), 3. Stormy Petrel (Ashok Kumar)
Race 5: Kunigal Stud Magic Million (Class I Quality Handicap 1800m)
1. Charlatan (Irvan Singh), 2. Alcazaba, 3. Roswald (S.D. Mahesh)
Race 6: RTC Nuwara Eliya Cup (1/2 Bred Handicap 1000m)
1. Reabath (Dhinesh), 2. City Shot (L. Ravi Kumar), 3. Arundathi (M. Ishan)
Race 7: Araliya Green Hills Hotel Cup (3/4 Bred Handicap 1400m)
1. Queen of the Hill (M. Mohanraj), 2. AirBorne II (Sumith Kumar), 3. Legasi (S. Dasaradan)