MRC offers big bonanza - Outstation horses can take part in all races I The Hindu
Posted on - 17 Oct 2018
MRC offers big bonanza
The Hindu
Outstation horses can take part in all races
More than 650 horses, including about 200 two-year-olds, will take part in the 32-day Chennai racing season which begins on October 19 (Friday) and concludes on March 17, 2019 (Sunday).
Briefing the media on Tuesday, R. Ramakrishnan, chairman, Madras Race Club, informed that for the first time in the Indian racing calendar, every race was being thrown open and there was no restriction.
R. Ramakrishnan, Chairman of the Madras Race Club, flanked by MRC Secretary P. Sivasubramanian, right,and Javeed Ghatala
"We expect some very high quality racing," said Ramakrishnan.
The stakes-money on offer is Rs. 12,11,10,000 for 198 races and it could go up to Rs. 15 crore based on divisions.
The stakes-money for two and three-year-olds and Class I races is Rs. 9 lakh each which is the highest in the country.
84 Cup races have been framed with the total value being Rs. 24 lakh.
The Hindu Group will sponsor the following cups: S. Parthasarathy Trophy (Dec. 7), G. Narasimhan Trophy (Dec. 22), K. Srinivasan Trophy (Jan. 15), S. Rangarajan Trophy (Jan. 16) and G. Kasturi Trophy (Feb. 16).
For the convenience of racing patrons, a new totalizator system has been installed and the number of betting terminals have been increased from 30 to 150.
Ramakrishnan said that jockeys from abroad were welcome to race during the season.
22 'A' Licence and 10 'B' Licence trainers along with 29 'A' Licence and 26 'B' Licence jockeys would be participating in the races.
The entrance fee for the first enclosure is Rs. 40, second enclosure Rs. 10 and the members enclosure Rs. 120.
It was also announced that there would be no auction sale this season.
Racing dates:
2018:
Oct.: 19, 26 & 27;
Nov.: 1, 3, 10, 15, 22 and 27 (Guindy Gold Cup).
Dec.: 6, 7 (South India 1000 Guineas), 12, 13, 22 (South India 2000 Guineas) and 25 (Christmas Cup).
2019:
Jan.: 1 (South India Oaks), 2, 9, 15 (South India Derby Stakes), 16, 23 (South India Sprinters Trial Stakes), 24 (South India Stayers Trial Stakes) and 31.
Feb.: 6, 7, 15, 16 (South India St. Leger), 21 (Madras Gold Vase) and 26.
March: 10 (Guindy Grand Prix), 16 and 17 .
