Kota Kinabalu: Racing at Tambalang Race Course in Tuaran resumes this weekend after a one week break with the Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) Chairman's Cup re-scheduled to Monday (Feb 6) in conjunction with Chap Go May.The Chairman's Cup was among three cup races cancelled on Jan 24 after the starting gate gave way just before the start of Race 8 for Class 7 Division 4 ponies over 1,800 metres.
"The RSTC Chairman and management committee apologise to all members and valued punters for the incident," said Treasurer cum Publicity Officer, Aven Lim.
He said the gate has been repaired and all is back to normal this weekend, which would be on Saturday (Feb 4) and Monday (Feb 6).
There would be no racing on Sunday in view of the public holiday.
On Monday, Lim said 10 races had been scheduled with the Chairman's Cup for Class I and II ponies over 1,200 metres slated for Race 9, which would see the same line-up of entries.
The 16 entries for this year's Chairman's Cup race are Honey Queen III, Young Star, Zenyatta, Commando II, Bariomanchello, Tamparuli Star, Crystal Lady III, Choisir, Fast N Furious, Vitality II, Super Chip, Royal Chip, Pegalan Princess, Paquaio, Bow Shadow and Brutus.
Lim reiterated that on paper last year's Champion Pony, Commando II is the hot favourite for this race and it is also a three-time winner of the Chairman's Cup winning it back-to-back since 2009.
But, ponies such as Zenyatta, Crystal Lady III, Young Star and Bow Shadow are capable of upsetting all calculations, he said, adding that another good show and payout is expected for the race that offers a total stake money of RM20,000.
No ponies or handlers were injured when the gate gave way as the Cup Race for Class 7 Division 4 ponies over 1,800 metres, offering a total stake money of RM8,000 was being prepared.
So the field would remain the same with 12 ponies namely Silent King, Major, Rugading Hero II, Rocket VI, Tunas Bestari, Jejaka Idaman, Winbo Girl, Recoba, Japo III, Rugading Express, Christie and Jogo Jogo III entering the race just before the Chairman's Cup race.
"Again, this race is very unpredictable as all runners are quite balanced É don't rule out upsets and good payouts," said Lim.
Other races on Monday are for Class IV, VIA and Class 7 Division 1 and 2. For Saturday, Lim said eight races had been scheduled for Class 7 Division 1, 2 and 4.
On another note, he said tickets sold for Race 8 on Jan 24 can be refunded during any races this Saturday.
He assured that the club was doing its best to ensure the incident will not recur and he disclosed that the club had also enquired for a new gate from an Australian manufacturer.
