Be a part of this glamour and most coveted race - HDIL Indian Oaks Grade I - By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
Posted on - 21 Jan 2011
Be a part of this glamour and most coveted race – HDIL Indian Oaks Grade I
By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
The city has been experiencing a cold spell of late and race goers welcome the warm sunshine, making the initiative of a formal dress code, taken by the managing committee of the RWITC, a well received one. The winter chill only adds to the warm comfort of a Jacket. This Sunday be braced to see the elite of Mumbai with their Jackets buttoned up rather than hanging limp over their arms for the sake of it. Come and be a part of this glamour and most coveted race and cheer up your favorite jockey. The high decibels from the excited crowd from either side of the aisle to the track, only add to the electrifying tone at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. Each one from the crowd is screaming his good wishes to his favourite horse and jockey. With such an atmosphere and an elaborate lead up of nine interesting races, the wait for HDIL Indian Oaks is not going to be too long.
The Third Indian Classic of this racing season – the Indian Oaks (Grade I) – has attracted six fillies to contest over the grueling 2400 metre Derby trip. It is a great race for us at the RWITC. An Indian Classic is always a big day. Jacqueline created a world record last year and that has showcased the Indian Races very well. Siachen certainly is the prime contender, particularly after her facile victory in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas and in the Giantti by Gitanjali Lifestyle Indian 1000 Guineas in Mumbai. She has grown from strength to strength and is a much improved filly now. She has obviously travelled well as is evident in the manner she moves. Siachen has beaten Moonlight Romance in Bangalore and in Mumbai. There is no reason why she can’t repeat. Sunlight lacks in experience, yet she could prove a handful.
HDIL’s association with the RWITC Ltd goes back to the year 2006 when Dheeraj Arma sponsored the Indian Oaks. HDIL is sponsoring the classic race for the fifth consecutive year, this Sunday. In the past on this day, we have had a galaxy of film stars mingle with Mumbai’s Chic set at the afternoon hosted by the Wadhwan family. The Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited, part of the Wadhawan Group ( formerly known as the Dheeraj Group ), is a listed real estate development company in India, with significant operations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Indian Oaks is worth over Rs. Seventy-Five Lakhs.
The Gool S Poonawala Million Grade 3, a race for horses aged three years only will be other star attraction of the day. As an added bonanza, there’s a Hyundai i10 to be won in a contest. In the past, the RWITC has done well in conducting races in a grand fashion. This only raises the expectations further.
(Gitanjali Gurbaxani is a Club Member of the RWITC and an avid race enthusiast for several years)
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