Ooty season from April 16

The stage is set for the 125th racing season in this hill station, according to the secretary of the Madras Race Club B.K.Amanullah Khan.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said that it will begin on April 16. Pointing out that normally the season gets underway on April 14, he said that for the first time it has been delayed by two days on account of the elections. There would be 28 meetings and about 500 horses would participate. Fifteen trainers and about 40 jockeys will vie for honours.

Stating that all the meetings would be held in the morning, he said the curtain would come down on June 16.

The Nilgiris 1000 Guineas (Grade 111) will be run on April 24, the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas (Grade 11) on May 1 and the Nilgiris Derby Stakes (Grade 1) on May 8.

The Nilgiris Gold Cup, the most popular race will be run on May 22. While the stake money would be about Rs. 4.80 crores the cup value would be Rs.10 lakhs.

The underfoot conditions were ideal for racing.