By Michael DaSilva
THE Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) underwent a rehabilitation of its race track over the past few months in preparation for its annual Boxing Day meeting which is scheduled for December 26.According to the club’s Honorary President Justice Cecil Kennard, approximately $6M was spent on resurfacing the race track and spurcing up the stands for the highly anticipated meet which according to Kennard is expected to see 65-70 horses being registered for the annual event.
Justice Kennard told Chronicle Sport that since the rehabilitation of the facility was completed, a number of trainers have been using it to train their animals.
He said while works are ongoing on the sea defence bordering the track on the Northern side, this has not and will not affect the Boxing Day seven-race programme.
Asked about security arrangements for race day, Justice Kennard assured that there will be adequate security since fences have been erected along the home stretch to prevent turfites from going onto the track, thereby, preventing injury “to the horses, jockeys and turfites”.
Apart from the fences, security officers will be positioned at strategic points along the homestretch Justice Kennard assured.
The day’s events are being sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers, P&P Spare Parts, Torginol Guyana Limited, GUYOIL, Khemraj Kissoon, Beharry Automotive, Metro Office and Stationary Supplies, Rohan Auto Spares, Republic Bank, Berbice River Bridge, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Demerara Distillers Limited, Digicel, GT&T, Ansa McAl and N&S Mattai and Company among others.
The feature race on the day’s programme is a one mile event for horses classified `C ‘ and Lower and the winner4 of the event will take home $1M, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will earn $500,000, $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.
The $1m prize is being sponsored by Metro Stationary and Office Supplies.
Four six-furlong races are also carded for the day with one being for horses classified `H 1 and Lower’, another for horses `E and Lower’ another for `J 3 and Lower horses and the final one for `J 1 and lower’.
One five-furlong race is also billed for the day and will involve horses classified ` K 1 and Lower’.
`G 1 and Lower’ horses will contest a one mile event.
The closing date for entries is December 19 and owners and trainers wishing to register their horses can make contact with Justice Kennard on telephone numbers 633-7609, 225-4818 or 226-1399 or Roopnarine Matadial on 325-31`92, Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316 or Fazal Habibula on 657-7010.