Horseracing: RTC's new Saddling enclosure ensures Races on schedule

With Horse Racing Season II fast approaching, and the demand for the sport increasing by the day, the Royal Turf Club (RTC) will complete a new Saddling area at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse.

Season II, which will last until mid May next year, will kick-start next Saturday in Nuwara Eliya, with an event to be held every two weeks, at an average, until May 2017. 

"The new saddling area is located behind the present Jockeys' and Stewards' rooms, in an area that had no visual appeal, as it was a dumping ground for refuse. There will be 14 stalls and an additional 4 in an adjoining area for the collection of samples for drug testing by the Sri Lankan Anti-Doping Agency or, the SLADA. As per the April Racing season, SLADA will be in attendance at all Race meetings conducted by the RTC," revealed RTC's Suranjith Premadasa. 

According to RTC officials, there are several advantages in relocating the Saddling area to this position. 

Once the intended Saddle area is completed, the racehorses, once saddled, will no longer be required to negotiate the narrow bridge over the stream running through the stable area. 

"As in any high performance athlete, adrenalin starts to kick in once they know they are soon to compete. This is when a racehorse becomes excited and can be flighty. For the safety of patrons and the welfare of the horses, they will now have direct access to the mounting paddock from the saddling area, avoiding any public space. This nullifies the risk of a horse getting away and endangering the lives of the public or injuring themselves", explained RTC CEO, Wayne Wood. 

"The close proximity of the Saddling area to the Weighing room will further assist the RTC to run the races on schedule. This is important, as all races will be telecast live this season, commencing next Saturday," he added.