Racing returns to Kempton Park Racecourse on Monday 2 March with an eight-race all weather programme staged on the Polytrack from 2:07pm to 5:40pm. The card blends maiden talent with competitive handicaps across sprint and middle distances, building toward the afternoon’s feature, the Sri Lanka Wonder of Asia Handicap Stakes worth £16,000. With solid field sizes throughout, the meeting promises tactical racing under the Kempton lights.
The afternoon opens at 2:07pm with The Sporting Times Restricted Maiden Stakes over 1m 3f 219y. Nine runners line up in this Class 4 contest worth £10,000, offering developing performers an opportunity to secure a breakthrough over a stamina-testing trip.
Race 2 at 2:37pm brings the Visit Sri Lanka Handicap Stakes, a six-furlong Class 6 event worth £6,000. Nine runners are declared for what should be a sharp and competitive sprint where early pace and track position will prove decisive.
The third race at 3:07pm, The Sporting Times Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Stakes, again covers six furlongs. Twelve runners go to post in another Class 6 contest worth £6,000, adding depth and tactical intrigue to the sprint division.
At 3:37pm, The Sporting Times Sri Lanka Handicap Stakes steps up to seven furlongs. This Class 5 contest worth £8,000 has attracted five runners and may develop into a steadily run tactical affair.
Race 5 at 4:07pm, The Sri Lanka Paradise Island Handicap Stakes, remains at seven furlongs with seven runners competing for £8,000 in Class 5 company. Balance between speed and stamina will be key around Kempton’s sweeping bend.
The feature arrives at 4:37pm with Race 6, The Sri Lanka Wonder of Asia Handicap Stakes, a Class 3 contest over 1m 3f 219y worth £16,000. Nine runners are declared for the highest prize race of the afternoon, headed by Charging Thunder, an eight-year-old gelding rated 95 who carries 9st 12lbs under Mason Paetel for trainer James Owen and owners Goodfellow and Lawson.
Dramatic Star, trained by William Haggas for Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, brings a rating of 94 and strong recent form, while Nolton Cross represents Hugo Palmer off 9st 9lbs. Parlando for Ian Williams, Whitcombe Rockstar for Keiran Burke and the progressive Spanish Voice from the Andrew Balding yard add further strength to the field.
Legendary Day for Barry Brennan, Son of Man under Connor Planas, and the remaining contenders complete a competitive middle-distance handicap that combines established performers with progressive types. With stamina and positioning crucial over this extended trip, the feature race stands out as the class highlight of the Kempton card.
Race 7 at 5:10pm sees The Sporting Times Handicap Stakes over one mile, a Class 6 event worth £6,000 with nine runners declared. The finale at 5:40pm mirrors the penultimate contest, another one-mile Class 6 handicap worth £6,000 and featuring nine runners to close the meeting.
Kempton Park’s Monday all weather fixture delivers a well-balanced programme from maiden prospects to seasoned handicappers, with the £16,000 Class 3 feature providing the central narrative of an engaging eight-race card.
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