New turf lords face maiden race test

Promises fans and competitors a higher standard of horse racing in a new era which starts this month in Nuwara Eliya:

Royal Turf Club's quest to clean up the sport and ensure fair-play and an environment free of corruption and nepotism will begin this month when the first horse race of the new season will be worked off on March 20 (Sunday) at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course under the guidance of its CEO and Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards, Wayne Wood.

Race organisers said Sri Lankans will be able to see "a new dimension to the sport emerging with the formation of the Royal Turf Club reminiscent of its glorious past'.

According to Wood a total of eight races will be run on the day with the Royal Turf Club Premier Cup awarded to the winner of the Class 1 Stakes 1600 metre race.

The other races that would be run are the Class 2 Stakes 1400 Metres, Class 3 Stakes 1400 Metres, Class 4 Stakes 1200 Metres, Class 5 Stakes 1200 Metres, Three Year Old Maiden Stakes 1100 Metres, 3/4 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000 Metres and 1/2 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000 Metres.

"The Royal Turf Club (RTC) has to date made a big investment to develop the infrastructure which includes renovating the track and replacing the track railings, renovating the Grand Stand, Steward Room, Jockey's Rooms as well as all other Race Course buildings which were in need of extensive repairs. "The RTC intends to continue with its program of development by investing in the race track and attendant infrastructure over the next two years in partnership with foreign investors with a view to making Sri Lanka and Nuwara Eliya a racing hub in the region", the club said in a statement.

The RTC is headed by equestrian Suranjith Premadasa with the other office bearers being Lucille Dahanayake (secretary) and Nishitha Rupasinghe (treasurer) while the Committee comprises Ranjith Dahanayake, Nihara Jayatilleke and Sudharshana Deshapriya.

As part of their long term development strategy, the RTC has also secured the services of Sinclair Marshall, an Anglo Indian as Clerk of the Course and Stipendiary Steward in addition to Wood who is an Australian expert in horse racing and famed for his accomplishments.

"Under the guidance of these two renowned names in the global world of horse racing and the experienced Royal Turf Club committee, it is the aim of the club to elevate and uplift the standard of horse racing in Sri Lanka to new heights and bring back the traditions of this gentlemanly sport", the club's statement further added.