Next Royal Turf Club race on 17 Sept.

The next race of the Royal Turf Club will be held on 17 September according to a statement it issued yesterday.

RTC officials held a meeting with trainers on 29 August regarding the race meeting scheduled for 10 and 17 September due to the unforeseen heavy rain that has lashed the racecourse in Nuwara Eliya of late.

Once again the Royal Turf Club has been compelled to cancel its scheduled race day, which was to be on 10 September. However, the race day on 17 September will go ahead as scheduled.

“These unforeseen weather changes are causing us much grief and the trainers great concern that they will not be able to have their horses in peak condition to run on 10 September as the track has been closed for gallops as a safety measure. This reduces the fitness of the horses,” said RTC CEO Wayne Wood. 

“The race dates are scheduled six or more months in advance as we have race meetings scheduled until 13 May next year,” he added.

Since the welfare of the horses is the main concern of RTC officials, they have decided to cancel the 10 September race day but hope to go ahead with the races on 17 September.

Seven races are scheduled for the meet on 17 September, which will be designated a ‘Ladies Day’. Just under Rs. 2 million in prize money will be distributed. The feature race will be the Class 1 Handicap over 1,600 metres and entries will close at 10.00 a.m. on Monday 12 September.

As always spectators are assured a weekend of fun right up in Little England, complete with gala fashion shows, musical shows, children’s entertainment, good food and horseracing of the highest level.