Due to the inclement weather, the launch of the forthcoming race season set for August 6, has been postponed to August 20, stated the Royal Turf Club (RTC).
The reason for the postponement according to RTC was the inclement weather patterns affected in the Nuwara Eliya region during the past few days.
"Nuwara Eliya racecourse has received 103mls of rainfall this month with 45mls this week, while further rain is predicted over the next 10 days. Due to the continuous rain the training track has been closed for six days over the last two weeks severely interfering with the preparation of the horses for the race meeting on August 6”, said CEO of RTC, Wayne Wood.
“The Thoroughbred Auction that was also scheduled to be held will also now take place subsequent to the race meeting on August 20."
“We regret any inconvenience caused but the decision has been taken with the welfare of the horses in mind which is our first priority” Wood added.
Seven races are programmed for the meeting on August 20, for which just under Rs 2,000,000 in prize money will be distributed.
The feature race will be the RTC Breeze up Auction Class 1 Handicap over 1400M for which entries will close at 10.00am on August 15.
"The club is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new set of starting gates, while the new saddling and sampling area will be completed for the races on August 20", Wood went on to say.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
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