– Point system to be introduced to determine feature race

THE 17th running of the Guyana Cup feature race will bring a twist to the action when it leaves the blocks on August 17 at the Rising Sun Turf Club.
Launched yesterday in the Boardroom of feature race sponsors Banks DIH, the cup will see horses chosen on a points-based system which will be implemented in the coming days.
According to Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JTRC) head Nasrudeen ‘Junior’ Mohamed, during the next few months, horses will be awarded points based on a system that will be released soon.

“So, over the next few races before the Guyana Cup, we will be assigning points to horses and those with the most points will be entered in the Guyana Cup,” he said.
Being the defending champion, Slingerz racing stable’s Olympic Kremlin has garnered automatic qualification.
According to the organiser, this arose out of the sheer volume of horses imported for the premier horse racing event locally.

He also added that there will be a predetermined number of wildcard slots.
11-Race card a first in Guyana, two new events added

Meanwhile at yesterday’s launch, the committee outlined an audacious 11 race programme set to begin at 11:00 hours.
There are two new classes, the Imported Juvenile which according to a release from the organiers, was instituted to accommodate the increased number of younger foreign participants in an attempt to foster growth in the breeding community.

There is also the Brazilian and West Indies Bread derby, spawned from the large number of Brazilian and West Indian bread horses locally.
The other races are The Guyana Bred Non Earners For Four-Year-Olds And Older, The Guyana Bred Three-Year-Olds And Older, Classified K-Class And Lower, The Guyana Bred Three-Year-Olds And Older, Classified J-

Class And Lower, Guyana And West Indian Bred Juveniles, Guyana And West Indian Bred Classified H-Class And Lower, Guyana And West Indian Bred Classified G-Class And Lower, Guyana Bred Derby And The Banks Dih Sprint Classic Open To All Classes Three Year Olds And Up.

Banks support forms part of the culture of horse racing
Meanwhile in its 17th year, the Guyana cup had an old friend in Banks DIH through their Banks Beer and GT Beer brand.
According to Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-en, the company is coming on board this year in a big way with a zone for fans and kids.
He added that it was only necessary given the growth of the event.

“Banks is proud and happy to be in collaboration with the organisers. We at Banks and the Banks beer brand have enjoyed every moment of this journey. This is part of Guyana’s cultural fabric,” he said.
According to the Brand manager, there are 31 Road shows in six regions this year to promote the event.
The Feature race will feature $20 million (approximately USD $100,000) which came after passage of new Horse Racing Legislation, which has been hailed as a pivotal moment for the sport in the country.

The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, organisers of the prestigious event, have swiftly responded to the legislative development by significantly increasing the stakes.

The highly anticipated feature race winner on August 17th will now take home a staggering GYD 10 million, the most significant first prize in Guyanese racing history.
This year’s Guyana Cup, scheduled for August 17th – symbolically the 17th running on the 17th – will boast a total prize purse exceeding GYD $50 million, making it one of the wealthiest single days in Guyanese sport