Alcazaba wins big, as Jayaratne Stables records hat-trick

The Queen of Nuwara Eliya Alcazaba stole the limelight of the inaugural Raceday of Royal Turf Club (RTC), the RTC Spring and Summer Raceday Cup, while Jayaratne Stables recorded a hat trick, at the picturesque Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya.

Alcazaba won the main race, the Sporting Times Cup, after Jayaratne Stables had achieved three back-to-back win in the event that consisted five races.

The Queen of Nuwara Eliya Alcazaba, ridden by S.D. Janaka and owned by Rienzie Edwards and wife, scripted a fairy-tale end to RTC Spring and Summer Raceday 2021, winning the Sporting Times Cup for Class 1 Handicap 1,400 m. 

Knight of Key and Western Wind, both owned by the Jayaratne Stables, took off brilliantly, but nothing came across as a threat to Alcazaba, who finished off in style by more than three lengths. 

Western Wind, ridden by K. Sanjeewan and owned by Gamini Jayaratne and wife, completed at second, followed by Santos, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Rienzie Edwards and wife. Knight of Key finished fourth. 

The Jayaratne Stables recorded their hat-trick of wins with the thrilling win recorded by Another Ace, ridden by K. Sanjeewan to claim the Black Pool Hotel Cup for Class 2 Handicap 1,400 m, the penultimate race of the RTC Spring and Summer Raceday Cup. Areca Wonder, ridden by A. Suresh and owned by Dynamic Stables, took a fine start to lead up to the final straight, but he was overtook brilliantly by Another Ace and had to finish second in the end. 

Roswald, ridden by S.D. Janaka and owned by Rienzie Edwards and wife, made a decent run to finish third. Others to follow in are Brilliant Cut and Carlton.

Star Scholar, ridden by V. Yogaraj made a gallant gallop in the final two furlongs to override Vigorous, ridden by M. Ishant to claim victory of the Edwards Collection Trophy for Class 3 Handicap 1,400 m. Vigorous, owned by Ajantha de Soyza, took an early lead from the start but had to settle in at second as Star Scholar, owned by Gamini Jayaratne and wife, were made proud owners by trainer S. Sridher and Jockey Yogaraj. 

Setting at third was Olive, ridden by K. Sanjeewan and owned by the Fearless Stables and Stud Farm. Arabian Gold had to finish fourth while favourite Glittering failed to start.

Honorious edged out the early leader Night King to win the Vegibest International Cup for Class 4 Handicap 1,070 m. Jockey K. Sanjeewan made Fearless Stables & Stud Farm proud owners after Honorious made a thrilling finish to the second race of the RTC Spring & Summer Raceday. 

Night King, ridden by V. Yogaraj and owned by Nishara Jayaratne, finished close second followed by Zulu Fantasy, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Rienzie Edwards and wife at third. Star Ace was the fourth finisher.

Waiting for Glory, ridden by V. Yogaraj and owned by Hasanga Jayaratne, won the Vegibest Mauritius Cup for Class 5 Handicap 1,070 m race. Miss Ivory, ridden by A. Suresh and owned by Kosala Senaratne finished second followed by Krabi, ridden by P. Dinesh and owned by Dr. Dhanawardene Guruge. Other runners to follow are Goldie Girl and Aries.

After this week’s successful Raceday, which was staged amidst the pandemic with the blessings and support from sports and health authorities of the country, RTC is making plans to conduct its Horse Racing Festival 2021 with three Racedays including the prestigious Governor’s Cup during April.