Witness Three Millions This Sunday - By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
Posted on - 10 Feb 2011
Witness Three Millions This Sunday
By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
The Mumbai racing season that witnessed the McDowell Signature Indian Derby last weekend is all set to witness another champion sprint race this Sunday. The Grade 2 Dr. S. C. Jain Sprinters' Championship , Mumbai racing season's championship sprint race, that was instituted by the RWITC in 1995 in honour of one of the Club's longest serving Chairmen, Dr. Shashi Chand Jain is being run for the seventeenth time this Sunday, this being it’s fifth time as a million race. The race, run over a distance of 1200 metres by thoroughbreds who are four years old and over, will have prize money of nearly Rs 2.4 Million to offer, and a trophy valued at Rs.75,000 to the winner. In addition, the Jain Family will also give away Trophies in Rhodium & Crystal worth Rs.10,000 each, individually to the Trainer and Jockey of the Winner. Another exciting million race is the Canadian Tourism Commission Million. Set over a distance of 1400 metres, it is a race for Maiden three years old and carries a prize of Rupees One Million along with the prestigious Canadian Tourism Commission Million Trophy for the winner. The first time sponsor, Canadian Tourism Commission, a crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada who are sponsoring the Canadian Tourism Commission Million Race, will also give away two lucky draw prizes that would enable the lucky two winners to fly to Toronto for free with a five nights free stay in the third week of June to witness the live performance of the prestigious Indian International Film Academy Awards 2011 that is being held there between 23rd - 25th June 2011.
This Sunday, come and witness another colourful day, and yet another spectacular race of four year olds, who will run a distance of a mile and a quarter to vie for the Grade 2 Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stake of India, that carries a total stakes of Rupees Two Million. The Eclipse Cup of India came into existence during the Bombay Racing season in 1923 – 1924, when a new race was inaugurated here to challenge the profile of the Viceroy’s Cup of Calcutta. A sum of Rs.60,000 was the said winning prize amount then. It acquired the Grade 2 status in 1987, when Pesi Shroff guided the winner “Vibration”.
ELLE, one of the World’s largest selling Fashion Magazines, joined hands with the Royal Western India Turf Club in 2009 for the first ever ELLE Cup. Last year, this event saw the perfect kick start to the racing season. No, it was not the horses who kicked and galloped their way to the finish, but it was also Mumbai’s Fashion fillies and equestrian sport lovers who thronged the vast acres at the Mahalaxmi race course, making the start of the season a galloping success by making their presence being felt at an elegant high tea that was hosted by ELLE magazine in the Member’s enclosure. It was pegged as one of the biggest events in the media fraternity. This year too, will see a host of Mumbai’s high fliers gracing the turf to enjoy a laid back Sunday afternoon, over some high tea that is being hosted by ELLE. The Fashion Magazine has 39 international editions in over 60 countries. The value that ELLE connotes and the target audience that ELLE caters to fits well with the horse racing scene in Mumbai. The ELLE Cup, that carries a Cup valued at Rs. 25,000 and sweepstakes of Rs.3,500 with Rs.3,50,000 added from the fund, is a race in recognition of the Media partnership between ELLE and the R.W.I.T.C. Ltd. “Having fun is the best way of leading a fashionable lifestyle” could well the catch line, defining RWITC’s association with ELLE, this being the third year. And what could be more stylish than spending Sunday with friends amid the unique style exuded by an eclectic set of people and a host of other fun and fashion loving people?
(Gitanjali Gurbaxani is a Club Member of the RWITC and an avid race enthusiast for several years)
