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| Monday, 12 April 2004 |
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Racing takes off in Nuwara Eliya The Sri Lanka Turf Club in Nuwara Eliya is all geared up to play host for the forthcoming racing season which kick which started on 10th April 2004. With early showers, the track looks beautifully manicured and for the next 15 days, racing fans could rejoice the pounding of the hooves at the picturesque race course. Rajan Sellamuttu chairman of the Sri Lanka Turf Club is optimistic that the season would see some real quality horses and the cream of the riding talent with many foreign riders specially flown in to ride during the races. The Sri Lanka Turf Club deserves credit for marketing to various corporate companies who have contributed substantially to make racing interesting and colourful. The use of the starting stalls for the first time in Sri Lanka will generate great interest. Gifted by the Mysore Race Club in India, there can be no better excitement to see the horses charging out of the gates! The Sri Lanka Turf Club has brought in a number of innovative measures to make racing enjoyable. The use of the photo finish camera will be another feather in the cap. All in all, great things are ahead for the Sri Lanka Turf Club which has made a giant leap forward. Pens sketches of Who's Who in Sri Lankan racing Rajan Sellamuttu - Rajan Sellamuttu heads the Sri Lanka Turf Club as chairman board of stewards, has immense experience as a race horse owner having owned a number of horses both here in Sri Lanka and india. He comes from a very influential family of business entrepreneurs. As administrator he has got a steadfast mission to take Sri Lankan racing to greater heights. He is tirelessly working towards this zeal ever since he occupied the post of chairman. One of the exciting agenda he has, is to improve the quality of bloodstock in Sri Lanka. Talks are already on and they have almost zeroed on to import 50 New Zealand thoroughbred horses, which will be given to owners by drawing of lots. This will give a tremendous boost to the improvement of the quality of horses in the island nation. Dhammika Attygalle - Dhammika Attygalle is the president of the Sri Lanka Turf Club. He carries himself with great poise and clan. He is striving very hard to uplift the quality of racing. He is a leading businessman in his own right, although time is a constraint yet he makes himself available for all important matters on equine. Being the nephew of the late Upali Wijewardene who raced his horses not just in Sri Lanka but also in England and Australia and grand nephew of late Senator Sarath Wijesinghe who are the great turfride of Ceylon. Raja Sinnaduray - Honorary Secretary of the Sri Lanka Turf Club. Age has not withered him away. Quite an ebullient character. He is the spokesperson of the Turf Club. Very articulate he maintains great liaison in promoting horse racing in Sri Lanka. Shantha de Soya - Called the first lady of Sri Lankan racing the De Soyza's family is passionately involved with horse racing. They have been racing for over 60 years. The Monaro's stables have been very unlucky when they lost 2 of their best horses in a tragic air crash last year. Nigel Austin - Nigel and his charming wife Dawn is one of the most popular couple in the racing circles. With their vast business interest, they still take time off to attend racing. Nigel's Ancient Warrior stole the honours in the 2002 edition of the Sri Lankan Air Lines Governor's Cup. Dr. Noohu - The Noohu's had a fantastic run when their horses were firing from all cylinders about 3 years ago. He took a bold step in importing nearly 25 thoroughbreds including 3 from Dubai. Had ambitious plans to start a stud farm. He lost few of the good horses when he transported to his farm. Since then his interest to breed horses has taken a back seat. He had great success in the Governor's Cup twice. Anurath Abeyratne - An industrialist in his own right. He is a likeable sort. Keeps a very profile. Abeyratne's Court of Appeal won the last edition of the Governor's Cup. Gamini Jayaratne - The biggest investment in racing has come from this family who have spent great time and money in the importation of horses. Gamini is very meticulous in making everything grand. His abiding interest in horses is unbelievable! He also owns horses in Bombay & Bangalore - the 2 premier racing centers in India. Gamini's dream is to win the Governor's Cup and so far this race has eluded him. However his all star 3 front line contenders will have big say in this years Governor's Cup. Gamini Kodituwakku - Loves to fling on horses. He has been owning horses and races with great passion in Sri Lanka and India. Kodituwakku is a very talented rider and has brought 2 horses from India to have a tilt at this year's Governor's Cup. Suranjith Premadasa - Runs the very successful Premadasa Riding school. His horse safaris have really caught on by the tourist traffic. Riding holidays was his brainchild. Suranjith is an avid travellers around the world and an excellent rider, highly motivated. Ajith Chitty - Was an outstanding horseman who rubbed shoulders with the kings on the polo fields. As president of Sri Lanka Turf Club Ajith Chitty was extremely popular with the racing fraternity. Devinda Senanayake - Another complete horseman, who is a treasure house of knowledge on horses. He is being the pillar of strength to the Sri Lanka Turf Club in advising all matters own equine. Some interesting facts of Sri Lankan racing Horse racing in Sri Lanka began as early as in 1869. Colombo was one of the premier racing centers in the 50s and 60s. The 5th running of the Sri Lankan Airlines Governor's Cup to be run on Wednesday 14th April 2004 at the Sri Lanka Turf Club in Nuwara Eliya wears a very open look 12 are likely to participate in this prestigious race over 1800 meters. The race look like a potential minefield. Lets analyse the contenders. Crowing Star by Razeen, India's leading stallion is owned by the Jayaratne's. He has really come on tremendous ever since Sharat Kumar was inducted to the stable. Sharat as Trainer on his return to India has put in lot a sweat and toil to bring this horse into top fettle. He is to be ridden by India's ace rider S. Rajesh who is in top form having one the Indian St. Leger at Mumbai. Crowning Star is my first pick to win this coveted event. Aerobee is a talented horse and he is owned by the Jayaratnes. But the big question is whether this race is coming a wee bit too quick. Turn to Gold: Owned by the Monaro's stables and trained by the master craftsman B. L. Mohan who has years of experience has completely transformed the stable. This stable is sure to fire from this season. Turn to Gold has been carefully groomed to have a tilt at this race. Empoerado and Stormy Warrior from the Dr. Noohu's stables are the challengers for this event. But this year their task is not going to be easy considering the quality of the field. Court of Appeal and Final Authority the challengers from the Abeyratne's stables will be ridden by V. Mathialagan and Rahul Shinde respectively. Rahul Shinde who is fresh from his success at Hyderbad as a champion rider knows this course from the back of his hand. Final Authority has the ability and could be the dark un. Court of Appeal winner of last year's Governor's Cup may find the going wee bit too hot to handle. Jockey Profile S. Rajesh is a very talented rider but some how did not make the top grade in India. His biggest success in his career has come recently when he piloted Protege to a sensational victory in the last leg of the Indian triple crown in Mumbai namely the Indian St. Leger. Rahul Shinde has maintained very consistent strike rate and has emerged as a champion rider in Hyderabad. He has struck a fine rapport with Abeyratne's and has been a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka. Harish has really come to age. He has improved leaps and bounds after a stint in South Africa. Now retained as the second jockey in the powerful Vijay Maliya's stable in India. Jockey Harish getting enough opportunities to prove his mettle. Sharat Kumar An astute judge and a lovely work rider, he has the ability to bring the horse to optimum fitness. S. D. Janeka the pick amongst the Sri Lankan rider, Janeka has a lovely seat and great to watch. |
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