The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : Hyderabad Monsoon season from July 19

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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Sport - Racing : Horse

Hyderabad Monsoon season from July 19

HYDERABAD: The 30-day Hyderabad Monsoon season will begin from July 19 to October 29. The HRC has increased the total stakes money to Rs, 5,67,92,000, a 17.72% hike against last year's amount of Rs. 4,82,43,000. The value of trophies has also gone up from Rs. 13,90,000 to Rs.17,95,000. This may further go up on account of the division of races.

A trophy has been instituted in memory of S.Rangarajan, former Steward, Hyderabad Race Club (HRC), horse owner and favourite of railbirds. The S. Rangarajan Memorial Cup (1,400m) (Terms) will be for three year olds and over.

Computerised totalizator, Omega photo-finish camera, the Australian Steriline rails around the track, 10 off-course tote centres, seven of them in Hyderabad and the other three at Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and Vijayawada will be introduced.

The club was also the first to do away with classification in favour of the Category system, with a view to make racing more competitive. As a result, the HRC registered a higher turnover than other clubs.

The innovation this year will be a two-tier stables, estimated to cost Rs. 55 lakhs, that will accommodate 20 horses on each floor with two chambers for trainers. One two-storied structure will be constructed on a trial basis with more to be added in the near future, so as to accommodate more horses. The HRC will host the 2008 Turf Invitational weekend in March 2008.

Rs.Five lakhs has been added for each of the following races: The Independence Cup (Cat.I), the Poondla Venku Reddy Golconda Trophy in Cat. II, sponsored by P. Venku Reddy and the Kitty Bank Cup, Cat. III. The trophies value has been increased by Rs. 5000 for Sweepstake races Cat. I and II and Rs.2500 for Cat. III.

Approximately 575 horses, including more than 184 three-year-olds are expected to take part. In addition, 208 two-year-olds are in station, which begin their careers in the Hyderabad winter season from November. About 30 trainers would be racing their horses and 55 jockeys would don colours.

Important racing dates: The Nizam's Gold Cup (Aug.18), The A.P.Governor's Cup (Aug.19), The Deccan Bookmakers Association Fillies Trial Stakes (Aug.26), The Deccan Bookmakers Association Colts Trial Stakes (Sept.2), The President of India Gold Cup (Sept.9), The A.P.Chief Minister's Cup (Sept.16), The Melbourne Racing Club Trophy (Oct.1), The Deccan Derby (Oct.2) and The Golconda St.Leger (Oct.21).

Other racing dates: July 20, 26 and 27; Aug.5, 6, 12, 15 and 27; Sept.3, 10, 17, 22 and 23; Oct.7, 8, 13, 15, 22 and 26.

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