RTC’s Diwali races a resounding success

The Royal Turf Club (RTC) conducted its first-ever Shubh Diwali Festival Race Day at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse with Deethika Jayakody’s Alcazaba claiming the RTC’s first ever Diwali Festival Cup on Saturday 29 October. 

The races commenced at 10.30 a.m. with the former Mayor of Nuwaraeliya Mahinda Dodampe Gamage as the Chief Guest.

A Card of 7 Races, music provided by a DJ along with singer Shanika Wanigasekara (Baby Shanika) who kept the crowds entertained with both Tamil as well as Sinhalese songs, ensured a perfect Diwali race day for all present.

The Class 1 Handicap Race had five horses vying for the main plum on a length of 1600 metres and it was jockey L. Dayalan, who claimed success while Chul Bul Panday and Silver Streak finished at second and third respectively. 

The first race of the day was won by Snow Queen, who clinched the Pegasus Cup unchallenged, followed by Augusta and The Cardinal. 

The second race, the Mayor’s Cup, was won by Icelandic while Gazaki took the second place. The RTC Gentleman’s Cup, was won by Torpedo, who galloped to an easy win ahead of Don Hasa and Royal Oak.

In the fourth race of the day for the RTC President Cup, Absolute Red claimed success by finishing off well ahead of Supreme and Glittering.

Carbrese won the RTC Charity Cup, while in a thrilling photo finish City Shot and Reabath were declared joint champions of the Festival of Lights Cup. 

Deepthika Jayakody gave the spectators present a glimpse of the RTC fashion collection, while the Best Hat was won by Mrs. Sunderam who received a voucher from Mosh, with the Best Couple being Mr. and Mrs. Sunderam who received a voucher from the Colombo Hilton for two nights.

RTC Shubh Diwali Festival Race Day 

Race 1: Pegasus Cup (Class 5 Handicap 1070m)

1:Snow Queen (A. Vishwanath/Anura Delgoda)

2:Augusta (M. Mohanraj/J.R. Irugalbandara)

3:The Cardinal (S. Sugandan/Jayaratne Stud Farms)

Presented by Sinclair Marshal 

Race 2: Mayor’s Cup (Class 2 Set Weights 1400m)

1:Icelandic (S. Sugandan/Jayaratne Stud Farms)

2:Gazaki (Irvan Singh/Mr. and Mrs. Rienzie Edwards)

Presented by Mayor of Nuwara Eliya Mahinda Dodampegamage

Race 3:RTC Gentleman’s Cup (Class 4 and 5 Handicap 1400 m)

1: Torpedo (A. Vishwanath/Anura Delgoda)

2: Don Hasa (S. Suganthan/Mr. and Mrs. Jayaratne)

3: Royal Oak (S. Dasadaran/Jayaratne Stud Farms)

Presented by RTC Committee Member Panduka Keerthinanda

Race 4: RTC President Cup (Class 3 Handicap 1400m)

1:Absolute Red (S. Sugandan/RTC)

2:Supreme (Irvan Singh/Deepthika Jayakody)

3:Glittering (K. Sanjeevan/Mr. and Mrs. Rienzie Edwards

Presented by RTC Committee

Race 5: RTC First Diwali Festival Cup (Class 1 Handicap 1600m)

1:Alcazaba (L. Dayalan/Deepthika Jayakody)

2:Chul Bul Panday (A. Vishwanath/Anura Delgoda)

3:Silver Streak (Irvan Singh/Deepthika Jayakody)

Presented by Channa Wickremasinghe

Race 6: RTC Charity Race (3/4 Bred Handicap 1000m)

1:Carbrese (K. Sanjeewan/Deepthika Jayakody)

2:Queen of Hills (M. Mohanraj/C.K. Rajapaksha)

3: Millenium Queen (Sumith Kumar/Sudakar)

Race 7: Festival of Lights Cup (1/2 Bred Handicap 1000m)

1:Reabath (K. Sanjeewan/Vasanthi Stables)

1: City Shot (S. Daradhan/S. Loganathan)

2:Arundathi (Sumith Kumar/S. Periyasamy)