Fabulous February at the Turf - By Sanjay Shah I DNA
Posted on - 17 Feb 2017
Fabulous February at the Turf
By Sanjay Shah
DNA
This month is larger than life at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse for the sport of horse racing. A feast of high profile days continues unabated, as after the two big weekends. Sundown racing got a thumbs up as the Indian Derby weekend kicked off in style under the lights. The Grade I sprint on this day was won by 'Danny Crane' who made his final charge at the winning post completing his hat-trick win this season. The clamor of punters yelling for their bets mounted as each horse tried to put his nose in front to reach the winning post.
Sunday, 5th February saw the most awaited day and race of the season – The Indian Derby. The thrill of this race and the build up to this day brought the entire racecourse to life. A crowd of nearly 20,000 people seemed to thoroughly enjoy the bolting action and the charged atmosphere at the Turf.
The grey filly 'Hall of Famer,' winner of the Kolkata Derby scored a narrow victory and won this race from 'Serjeant At Arms' in a superlative performance. The winner was competently handled by jockey David Allan and trainer S Padmanabhan who together scored a back to back success this year after romping home 'Desert God' as a winner last year.
'Hall of Famer,' property of Tegbir Singh Brar has taken place in the Hall of Fame by winning this prestigious race. The weekend was full of excitement, glitz and glamour and performances by international artists.
Sunday, 12th February saw the running of the Dr SC Jain Sprinter's Championship and The Deltin Eclipse Stakes of India. The speediest horse in a short distance of six furlongs in the country was 'Dancing Prances' who was cleverly handled by jockey A. Imran Khan. 'B Fifty-Two' produced a scintillating run in the straight to get the better of the hot favorite 'Alaindair' in The Eclipse Stakes.
This weekend of 18th and 19th February gets exciting with races running in the floodlights on Saturday and in the sunlight on Sunday. A stay of three nights for a couple at the Ananda Spa in the Himalayas is up for grabs in a simple contest of skill in the Dr Govind Ram Gurbaxani Memorial Trophy race on Sunday. Dr Gurbaxani was a racing enthusiast for over three decades and was affably known as the doctor with a bow-tie, one who commanded a lot of respect amongst the club members.
Thursday, 23rd February will see RWITC Ltd. welcoming members of the Mumbai Clubs for a race day.
Trophies presented by the following Clubs on 23rd February, The Malabar Hills Club, The Bombay Presidency Radio Club, The Willingdon Sports Club, The Otters' Club, The Acres Club, The Cricket Club of India, The National Sports Club of India, and The Bombay Gymkhana.
The last Sunday, 26th February will be a day of sheer equine luxury with the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million race day. 'Ruffina', 'Tatunkhamun' and 'Awesome Hooves' should be the top contenders of this prestigious race.
Over the years, the PBMM has acquired brand equity of its own and is known as the Juvenile Derby. As always, it will be hats and skirts and flowery shirts under linen jackets that will sweep the colorful landscape and be an equal match to the thunder of hooves on the emerald green turf. The month of February is in over drive and RWITC does not believe in taking a breather!
