Wayne Wood returns to plan out RTC racedays in Nuwara Eliya
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RTC CEO Wayne Wood
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Turf Club (RTC), Wayne Wood will return to Sri Lanka after nearly 10 months with intentions to kick-start the horseracing season for 2020.
The last RTC raceday event was supposed to be held on April 21, 2019, the fateful day of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, but was cancelled even before the commencement.
The RTC event was one of the main sport events in Sri Lanka to be called off due to the bomb attack, and since then activities have been hampered due to adverse weather conditions.
“We have waited long enough to restart horseracing in Nuwara Eliya and with the end of the rainy season, it will be the ideal time to kick-start RTC events. With that intention Wayne Wood will make his return to Sri Lanka, to plan out a full season of horseracing beginning from March,” Nishitha Rupasinghe, the treasurer of RTC, stated.
He will arrive in Sri Lanka today and will plan the upcoming activities, mainly races, and a few training and development programmes pertaining to the sport in Nuwara Eliya.
The inaugural CEO of RTC, Wood continues to play an important role in maintaining standards while helping Sri Lanka reach global status in horseracing.
Wood is a respected member of the international racing community, with a wealth of thoroughbred racing experience, both in practical terms and as a senior administrator.
Beginning from school where he rode in horse shows in his native Australia and assisted now retired Sydney trainer Ted Stanton from a young age.
After leaving school and working for Stanton for a short period Wood’s direction shifted to administration where he started in the racing office at the Sydney Turf Club and moved up the ladder serving the Australian Jockey Club, Metropolitan Race Club, West Australian Turf Club, Queensland Racing, Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai and as Director of Racing and Chief Stipendiary Steward for the Bangalore Turf Club before joining RTC.
Wood is noted for his integrity and for being a fair and fearless adjudicator with a no-nonsense attitude towards those who breach the Rules of Racing.
The racedays are currently being planned out by the RTC beginning with a ‘Mock Race’ on February 22, to give the runners the opportunity to warm up for at least eight more racedays to follow.
Among the important races of the RTC events calendar are Spring and Summer Race Cup, the Governor’s Cup, the Magic Million Cup and the Queen’s Cup.
The RTC is also negotiating with few of its international counterparts to field horses and jockeys for the upcoming racedays.
According to Rupasinghe, talks are still open and there is a huge possibility of Sri Lankan horserace lovers witnessing star class horses and jockeys competing in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to finally bring back the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya alive with events, where all top jockeys are expected to run on thoroughbred horses. It’s also satisfying to have our existing partners remaining with us through our effort to promote horseracing in Sri Lanka and help the sport reach international standards. At the same time we are extremely glad to see new partners joining in as sponsors for races, which will hopefully help RTC to conduct smooth and eventful three eventful racedays,” Rupasinghe added.
Since its inauguration in 2016, the RTC has made a substantial investment to develop the infrastructure, which includes renovating the track and replacing the track railings, renovating the Grand Stand, Steward Room, Jockey’s Rooms, as well as all other Racecourse buildings which were in need of extensive repairs in Nuwara Eliya.