ONCE again Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) have fostered a relationship to bring horseracing to fans on the Corentyne Coast of Berbice, with the former being a major sponsor in the latter’s post-Indian Arrival Day meeting which is set for Sunday. At a simple presentation ceremony held in the boardroom of DDL’s High Street office yesterday, honorary president of KMTC and retired Chief Justice Cecil Kennard thanked the sponsors for their substantial contribution to the upcoming event.
“For the past 40 years, DDL, through its El Dorado brand of rum, has been partnering with the KMTC wherein they have been sponsoring all of our feature events without fail, hence today’s presentation, and I want to say thanks to the management and staff of DDL for their prolonged relationship with the KMTC.
As we all know, no sporting activity can progress without sponsorship and even though the sponsorship with DDL will continue in the coming years, same will vary based on the economic situation of the country, to which we are eternally grateful,” said Kennard.
In his brief remarks, DDL’s Topco Brand manager Jeranzee Marques said his company was highly appreciative of their continued support towards the development of sports in Guyana, with El Dorado rum being pleased to be associated with the upcoming horserace meeting.
“For us at DDL, Mr Kennard and his team has been organising these meetings very well and I am sure all horse racing fans are looking forward to this event and with that in mind, I wish to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to the participants on Sunday,” said Marques.
Sunday’s meeting, the second for the club this year, has seven races carded for the day, with the first galloping off at 13:30 h in the G and Lower Class category, running over a distance of six furlongs through the kind courtesy of N and S Mattai and Company Limited, with the winner carting off $160 000.
Mike’s Pharmacy has thrown its support into the second race of the day for L and Lower horses over a distance of five furlongs, with the winner pocketing $100 000, while Giftland OfficeMax will take care of the responsibilities in the I3 and Lower category horses, who will compete over a distance of six furlongs, for a first prize of $130 000.
Starlight Cinema will be sponsoring the F and Lower race, the fourth for the day for horses in the F and Lower category, over a distance of six furlongs for a first prize of $200 000 while the Bigger, Better Network Digicel will be sponsoring the first prize of $140 000 for the I and Lower category horses who will battle it out over a distance of seven furlongs.
With the unavailability of Irish Gel (out with an injured leg), horses of the calibre of Tropical Passion, Pinch de Cash, Laura Lee in Flight, Little Panie, Madam Butterfly and Sweet Caramel are set to grace the Bush Lot Corentyne track to do battle in the DDL-sponsored C and Lower Class race over a distance of seven furlongs, which will culminate the day’s activities.