Royal Turf Club Premier Cup concludes on high note

The inaugural Royal Turf Club Premier Cup conducted by the newly formed Royal Turf Club (RTC), which saw over 35 horses competing in eight different contests, has come to a conclusion. Set in the picturesque environs of Nuwara Eliya or ‘Little England’ as it’s fondly known with sky high mountains in the backdrop, the weather was ideal for the races. The event was graced by Minister Navin Dissanayake, who unveiled the plaque to commemorate the inaugural race meeting of the Royal Turf Club, to commence the day’s proceedings. 

The first race kicked-off at 10:30 a.m. at the refurbished Nuwara Eliya Race Course and for the very first time, anti-doping procedures were introduced in order to have fair results. Over Rs. two million was offered as prize money, which was distributed under eight different events. 

Over 35 horses were seen in action with Charlatan and hockey Irvan Singh owned by Deepthi Jayakody emerging as the eventual winners of the first ever Royal Turf Club Premier Cup Class 1, Stakes 1600m which saw Rs. 585,000 and a cup being offered for the first five places. The Gamini Dissanayake Memorial Cup along with Rs. 482,500 plus a trophy was presented to the first five winners of the Class 2, Stakes 1,400m race, which won by Gazaki and Irfan Singh, owned by Keerthi Wannakuwatte.

The Mayors Class 3, 1,200m and the three year old Maiden Stakes 1,100m races were each awarded Rs. 375,000 plus a trophy with the winners being Supreme and S.D. Mahesh (owner Deepthi Jayakody) and Stock Well and jockey Ashok Kumar owned by Isira Dassanayake respectively.

In keeping with the RTC’s position on racing, four overseas officials were assigned to the key positions in the judge’s box, a first after the country’s independence, namely Cyrus Maden, Jehangir Sayed, and Stipendiary Stewards Sinclair Marshall and Wayne Wood. 

Entertainment to the ardent spectators were delivered by the band Misty and Rajitha, while a fashion show was also presented which showcased new trends by many designers, including Ramona Oshini. 

The final results:

Race 01. Cotton Hall Class 4 & 5 Stakes 1200m: 1st Beautiful Lankan, Ashok Kumar(Isira Dassanayake), 2nd Cative Heart, N.S. Parmar (Isira Dassanayake), 3rd Stormy Petrel, I. Dayalan (Anigli Stables)

Race 02.Vasanthi memorial Trophy Half Bred Thoroughbred Stakes 1000m: 1st City Shot, K. Sanjeewan (S. Loganathan), 2nd Millenium Queen, Madhan Kumar (M. Sudagar), 3rd Misty Queen, S. Suganandan (S.V. Madialagan).

Race 03: The Mayors Class three Stakes 1400m: 1st Supreme, S.D. Mahesh (Deepthika Jayakody), 2nd Indian Epic, Ashok Kumar (Isira Dassanayake), 3rd Joanna, L. Dayalan (Sugath Senarachi).

Race 04: Gamini Dissanayake Memorial Cup Class Two Stakes 1400m: 1st Gazaki, Irvan Singh (Keerthi Wannakuwatte), 2nd Ice Mint, Ashok Kumar, (Isira Dassanayake), 3rd Sandstorm, Dinesh (Deepthika Jayakody).

Race 05: Rupavahini Corporation 3 year old Maiden Stakes 1100m: 1st Stockwell, Ashok Kumar (Isira Dassanayake).

Race 6: Royal Turf Club Premier Cup Class 1, Stakes 1600m: 1st Charlatan, Irvan Singh (Deepthika Jayakody), 2nd Roswald S.D. Mahesh (Deepthika Jayakody), 3rd Alcazaba Vinod Singh (Keerthi Wannakuwatte).

Race 07: Vasanthi Memorial Trophy 1st division half bred thoroughbred Stakes 1000m: Arundathi, M. Ishan (S. Periyasami), 2nd Reabath L. Dayalan (Vasanthi Stables), 3rd Eye Touch, A. Dilan (Krishika Lionie)

Race 8: Nuwara Eliya three-quarter bred thoroughbred Stakes 1000m: 1st Legasi S. Dasaradan (Navin Madavabandara), 2nd Carbrese K. Sanjeewan (Deepthika Jayakody), 3rd Queen of the Hill, M. Ishan (R. Rajapaksha)