Local jockeys star as Alcazaba regain momentum and Jayaratnes record hat-trick
Champion horse Alcazaba with jockey S.D. Janaka
Local jockeys were able to showpiece their might as Alcazaba, the Queen of Nuwara Eliya, stole the limelight regaining her winning momentum after Jayaratne Stables recorded a hat-trick at the inaugural Raceday of Royal Turf Club (RTC), the RTC Spring and Summer Raceday Cup.
RTC’s inaugural meet for 2021 was held last weekend at the racecourse in Nuwara Eliya with the Spring and Summer Raceday Cup, one of the four events lined up after horse racing came back to life following a long layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among local jockeys, K. Sanjeewan and V. Yogaraj recorded two wins each while S.D. Janaka rode Alcazaba to a comfortable win in the main race of the day, the Sporting Times Cup for Class 1 horses. Fearless Stables and Stud Farm secured a win while Jayaratne Stables achieved three wins during the day where five races were held.
The Queen of Nuwara Eliya, Alcazaba, ridden by S.D. Janaka and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rienzie Edwards, scripted a fairytale end to RTC Spring and Summer Raceday 2021, winning the Sporting Times Cup for Class 1 Handicap 1400M.
V. Yogaraj and Waiting for Glry
Knight of Key and Western Wind, both owned by the Jayaratne Stables, took off brilliantly, but nothing came across as a threat to Alcazaba, who finished off in style by more than three lengths.
Western Wind, ridden by K. Sanjeewan and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gamini Jayaratne, completed at second, followed by Santos, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rienzie Edwards. Knight of Key finished fourth.
The Jayaratne Stables recorded their hat-trick of wins with the thrilling win recorded by Another Ace, ridden by K. Sanjeewan to claim the Black Pool Hotel Cup for Class 2 Handicap 1400M, the penultimate race of the day. Areca Wonder, ridden by A. Suresh and owned by Dynamic Stables, took a fine start to lead up to the final straight, but was overtaken brilliantly by Another Ace and had to finish second in the end. Roswald, ridden by S.D. Janaka and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rienzie Edwards, made a decent run to finish third. Others to follow in are Brilliant Cut and Carlton.
K. Sanjeewan steers Honorious to victory
Star Scholar, ridden by V. Yogaraj made a gallant gallop in the final two furlongs to override Vigorous, ridden by M. Ishant to claim victory of the Edwards Collection Trophy for Class 3 Handicap 1400M. Vigorous, owned by Ajantha de Soyza, took an early lead from the start but had to settle in at second as Star Scholar, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gamini Jayaratne, were made proud owners by trainer S. Sridher and Jockey Yogaraj. Setting at third was Olive, ridden by K. Sanjeewan and owned by the Fearless Stables and Stud Farm. Arabian Gold had to finish fourth while favourite Glittering failed to start.
Honorious edged out the early leader Night King to win the Vegibest International Cup for Class 4 Handicap 1070M. Jockey K. Sanjeewan made Fearless Stables and Stud Farm proud owners after Honorious made a thrilling finish to the second race of the day. Night King, ridden by V. Yogaraj and owned by Ms. Nishara Jayaratne, finished close second followed by Zulu Fantasy, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Mr. & Mrs. Rienzie Edwards at third.
Waiting for Glory, ridden by V. Yogaraj and owned by Hasanga Jayaratne, won the Vegibest Mauritius Cup for Class 5 Handicap 1070M race. Miss Ivory, ridden by A. Suresh and owned by Kosala Senaratne finished second followed by Krabi, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Dr. Dhanawardene Guruge.
Star Scholar and jockey V. Yogaraj
The event was successfully conducted by the RTC Committee, with Jamil Soobratty acting as the Stipendiary Steward, with guidance provided by the Chief Stipendiary Steward Cyrus J. Madan, from India.
After last week’s successful raceday, which was staged amidst the pandemic with the blessings and support from sports and health authorities of the country, RTC is making plans to conduct its Horse Racing Festival 2021 with three Racedays including the prestigious Governor’s Cup during April.