Horse racing festival Nuwara Eliya Governor’s Cup on 15 April

The annual horse racing festival Nuwara Eliya 2013 will reach its dizzy heights on 15 April with the Governor’s Cup followed by the Sunquick Cup on 20 April as the final race.

Since 30 March the 2013 festival has been on with daily races each from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

The Sri Lanka Turf Club (SLTC) said the blue ribbon event - the Governor’s Cup will see thoroughbreds compete in a nine furlong race including previous year’s champion, Café Coffee owned by Nishara Jayaratne of Jayaratne Stables, ridden by Melvyn Maseyk and trained by Sridhar Selvaratnam.

The horse line-up for the Governor’s Cup includes Red Key Point ridden by Mohan Raj and Enchantment ridden by M.D. Shohaib of Jayaratne Stables, Mr. Majestic and Third World of Dassanayake Stables and Spark of Gold of Anura Delgoda Stables, ridden by K. Ganesh.

Other notable events of the festival include the Queens Cup (Class II Thoroughbred – 10 furlongs) with a horse line-up of Flaming Arrow of Jayaratne Stables, Storm Ahead, Eulexite and Shyam Sunder of Dassanayake Stables and Exquisite Delight of C.R. Rajapakse Stables. The Mobitel Cup (Class III Thoroughbred – 8 furlongs Handicap) will also come alive with Black Cat Joanna, Viking Victor and Mia Stella forming the line-up. The Mayor’s Cup sponsored by SLTC (Class IV Thoroughbred – 8 furlongs handicap); Lemonade Cup sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores (Class V Thoroughbred – 8 furlongs handicap) and an event showcasing Sri Lankan horses (Half bred -5 furlongs handicap).

The horse racing festival Nuwara Eliya is one of the biggest events of the Sri Lankan social and holiday calendar not only for its races but it is also an event popular for a parade of the most fashionable ladies dressed in racing outfits varying from elegant to over-the-top. Men too are encouraged to dress up in coats, hats and cravats. The best hat, best dressed lady and best dressed filly and stallion are some of the awards up for grabs during the Festival. SLTC said this year’s winners will be given six tickets from SriLankan Airlines with a chance to fly to international destinations.

Promoted as a family spectacle, a high profile fashion extravaganza, fun games and activities for children are some of the other attractions of the Festival. The races are organised by the Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya presided over by the Club President Gamini Jayaratne.