Strong Western Wind blows away Alcazaba and Spirited Touch
Jockey Vivek steered Western Wind to an emphatic win - Pix by Indika Handuwala
The odds were on current holder of the Governor’s Cup, Spirited Touch to maintain its title and a strong comeback from Alcazaba, a two-time winner of the prestigious cup at the RTC Governor’s Cup 2021 powered by EFL last Thursday. However hopes of both these fillies were blown away by Western Wind, who managed to hold on to a nerve wrecking finish ahead of Alcazaba and Spirited Touch, surprising many who were present at the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya on a day filled with action and glamour.
In spite of heavy underfoot conditions, a thrilling and fitting finale was scripted to the RTC Governor’s Cup 2021 powered by EFL by Western Wind, ridden by jockey Vivek. Western Wind not only stole the limelight but beat two of the best fillies – Alcazaba and Spirited Touch – to clinch an enthralling win.
The event was forced a delay in its schedule when a sudden downpour occurred during the Governor’s Cup Raceday, which happened for the first time in its history of closer to 150 years. Yet, the horse race loving public, who gathered in large numbers, remained at the venue to witness the whole raceday, which eventually completed in style and glamour.
Mr. and Mrs. Gamini Jayaratne receiving the Governor's Cup from Special Guest Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Hitoshi Kanahori, the Chairman of Expolanka Holdings PLC
Western Wind took the lead from the setoff in the Class 1 1800metre race for the prestigious silverware, which is now 145 years old. The field of nine runners went past the legendary Grandstand, once at the start and then the culmination, which forced all spectators on their feet.
Jockey Vivek made the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gamini Jayaratne, proud to claim a stunning victory from Alcazaba, who looked threatening in the final two furlongs. Reigning title holder Spirited Touch fell back to third position after jockey J. Chinoy navigated Alcazaba to the fore from the rear, looking threatening as usual and almost regaining her lost form as a two-time Governor’s Cup winner.
Eventually Western Wind sealed the win by three lengths from Alcazaba, who was four lengths ahead of Spirited Touch. The win by Western Wind helped Jayaratne Stables regain the Governor’s Cup after five years after the coveted title went to the hands of Edwards Stables thrice and Fearless Stables and Stud Farm once.
Owner of Edwards Stable receiving the Mayor's Cup from Chandana Lal Karunaratne, the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya
Prior to the grand finale jockey Vivek gave his stable masters their first win with the RTC Queen’s Cup powered by Classic Travel, steering Another Ace to an inspiring win in the race for Class 2 horses. This was the third successive year that Jayaratne Stables secured the RTC Queen’s Cup. When the 2000metre race was in its almost end with two furlongs remaining, Star Scholar and Silver Streak were battling out to finish ahead of one another, but Vivek made a sudden breakthrough from the outside to clinch a thrilling and uncertain win to give Hasanga Jayaratne his only win in the RTC Governor’s Cup Raceday 2021.
Glittering, ridden by jockey J. Chinoy and owned by Edwards Stables, made another stunning finish to win the RTC Mayor’s Cup powered by Expolanka for Class 3 horses in a 1600metre race. Glittering edged out Vigorous, ridden by S.D. Janaka, by a whisker as Olive, ridden by jockey Aneel, finished third by ten lengths.
Fearless Stables and Stud Farms completed a double in the Vegibest International Cup with Honorious and Torpedo making it a home-and-home battle in the Class 4 race of 1400metres. Jockey Aneel eventually steered Honorious to a win by half-a-length from Torpedo, ridden by local boy K. Sanjeewan. Jockey J. Chinoy rode Zulu Fantasy to a third place finish.
The day started off with the Sports Ministry Challenge Cup, a Class 5 race of 1400metres, which was won by jockey K. Sanjeewan. The winning horse is owned by Kosala Senaratne. Waiting for Glory, ridden by K. Vaibhav and Goldie Girl, ridden by J. Chinoy finished at second and third respectively.
The Governor’s Cup 2021 was organised and conducted by Royal Turf Club (RTC) with EFL partnering as main sponsors. The event, which is followed by ardent horse racing enthusiasts annually, was held after a one year’s lapse with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing all sports events to be called off during 2020. Following the success of yesterday’s event, RTC will wind up its Horse Racing Festival 2021, which is held annually during the April holiday season, with the RTC Magic Million Cup on 24th of April at the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya.
| Results | |
for Class 5 Horses 1400m
for Class 4 1400m
1. Glittering (J. Chinoy/Edwards Stables)
1. Another Ace (Vivek/HasangaJayaratne)
1. Western Wind (Vivek/Mr. and Mrs. GaminiJayaratne) |