Another big day at the races as RWITC Cares - By Vivek Jain
Posted on - 13 Jan 2017
Another big day at the races as RWITC Cares
By Vivek Jain
The Club has its financial woes, that the whole world, and its brother knows that by now. But that has not prevented the RWITC from staging big weekends through the season and is driving into top gear as Fabulous February, with a multitude of big events, beckons.
Sunday’s racing, the only one of the season to feature evening racing on a Sunday before April, has a quality all trophy card, even though the numbers continue to disappoint, a reflection of the sharply reducing horse population at Mahalakshmi. Packaged into one evening will be a CSR partnership, a media sundowner, a Graded lead up to The Indian Derby, and a plethora of family races.
The race day is dedicated to The Fight Hunger Foundation, the Club’s newest not-for-profit partner, stamping the RWITC’s strong foray as a supporter of good social causes. The Foundation has done great pioneering work in treating under nutrition and events like this helps to raise awareness of an area that needs support. Having already associated with The Rotary Foundation, and with several other NGO days to follow, the Club’s CSR face, under the brand RWITC CARES, is being noticed, and applauded. A few of the Foundation’s goodwill ambassadors and directors are expected to grace the occasion.
The RWITC also lays great emphasis on its media alliances. The one with Forbes Inc of the Network 18 Group, has lasted several seasons. The tie up on Sunday will see the business magazine host a sundowner with the well known socialite, Nisha Jamaval, and a fair sprinkling of the city’s well heeled will be there to toast some champagne and watch the racing under the lights.
The Grade 2, R R Ruia, a long time Indian Derby pointer, is beautifully poised a perfect three weeks before the mega event. Sadly it lacks in competition, with just three to pick up the rich spoils, with the classic winning Serjeant At Arms, sure to enhance his claims as a Derby front runner.
Big Bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, who seems to be reducing his interest in the sport, still is omnipresent by sponsoring a Million with his brother Rajesh, in memory of their late father. A large foreign contingent of guests of the Jhunjhunwala family is expected on course, and with the Club showcasing its might as a leader of quality racing in perfect ambience in the delightful January weather, they are sure to go back impressed.
Family races to recognize well known breeders and members will make up the rest of the card, with the families present to give away the Cups. And the icing on the cake will be luxurious hospitality stays to be won in contests, that completes as well rounded a race day as any.
