21 April, 2019 Sunday Observer
After surprising outcomes on two previous race days, today’s RTC Magic Million Cup 2019 is set to unfurl into a thriller as the Royal Turf Club (RTC) gears up to host its third and final installation of horse racing events at the Race course in Nuwara Eliya.
As expected, the spotlight will be on the main race, the RTC Magic Million Cup2019, a Class One race of 1800 metres where giant killer Spirited Touch, trained by the veteran SV Madialagan from the Fearless Stables and Stud Farm will be keen on clinching a second grand win.
Spirited Touch, a total outsider, managed to snatch the RTC Governor’s Cup 2019 from champion horse Alcazaba, owned by Deepthika Jayakody and Purni Edwards last Monday after a gallant run.
Alcazaba, who tasted its first defeat in years, is trained by SD Mahesh, who will be eager to make amendments at Sunday’s main race while aiming for a win.
Another runner tipped to provide the thrills is Santos, owned by Purni Edwards and trained by SD Mahesh while Parushram, trained by S. Aloysius and owned by David Anthony will make a comeback after it made a last minute withdrawal from the Governor’s Cup race.
Meheran, owned by Hasanga Jayaratne, will return to a main race after a few weeks rest and is another contender for the main title.
Star Scholar, trained by S. Sridher and owned by Gamini Jayaratne, won the RTC Queen’s Cup last Monday but will eye a certain upset at the race of nine runners. Others in the fray at the RTC Magic Million Cup are Aventus, Star Ace and Another Ace, who are equally capable of pulling off an upset win.
Icelandic, representing the Jayaratne Stables, will make a comeback in the Class 2 race of 1600 metres for the Sporting Times Cup, where it could be highly threatened by the presence of Silver Streak and Roswald owned by Deepthika Jayakody and Purni Edwards, Areca Woner owned by Davis Anthony, Olive and Celestial Fire owned by the Fearless Stables and Brilliant Cut owned by Ajantha de Soyza.
Besides the five thrilling races lined up for the day, competitions will be held for spectators and participants who are expected to be treated to an unforgettable and eventful day by the Royal Turf Club that expects to dish out more horseracing events in the coming months in Nuwara Eliya after a successful season of three race days.