Say Hello! To Super Sunday - By Vivek Jain I TOI
Posted on - 09 Feb 2013
Say Hello! To Super Sunday
Vivek Jain
TOI
After Super stormed to victory in the Signature Premier Indian Derby last Sunday, with 27,193 packed inside Mahalaxmi, the RWITC would have been forgiven if a sedate Sunday followed. But, with the Club in promotion over drive, it’s a high decibel sequel that is offered- with an all-sponsored nine race card, with a plethora of top quality racing. Surely the Club does not believe in taking a breather! The prize money on offer at over 80 lakhs for a non classic day is exceptional.
The sensational Derby result, with the record attendance, has some interesting asides. The emphasis on digital media appeared to pay off, with a never before focus on Facebook and the web sites of the Club and the sponsor, topped off by live web casting and radio.
Sunday’s racing features two graded races both lead ups to the chief support races on the Invitation weekend. The Eclipse Stakes, sponsored by Byram Jeejebhoy, is one of India’s historic races but sadly suffers in numbers, though this year’s Oaks heroine, Maple Star, gives it an inter-generation touch. The Dr S C Jain Sprinters’, named after an erstwhile, long serving Chairman of the Club, is surely the country’s champion sprint race, after the Sprinters’ Cup, and with an average rating of 105of its strong 11 horse field, sets it in a class of its own, and a course record is on the cards. Prizes by both the Jeejebhoy and Jain families will add to the festivities.
The Hello! Classic, a celebrity society magazine event and the Dr.Jagjit Singh Owners’Tribute Million, in memory of the Ghazal maestro, are also slated, to make the day truly mind boggling. The Jagjit Singh Million is a rare race, and the only one of its kind in the country. It’s the only million race reserved for small owners, and the million purse is jointly contributed by five entities, another unprecedented feather in its cap, and truly a fitting tribute to the legend. The two races combine the glam set and the Page 3 regulars with the sobriety and pathos of a memorial event in one heady mix!
The presence also of the Arjav Diamonds Group and the luxury Four Seasons, is testimony of the plethora of support for the Club and the sport in Western India and the relentless drive to attract the top brands to associate with racing.
