Human & Equine Juveniles Shine on PBMM Day - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 01 Mar 2011
Human & Equine Juveniles Shine on PBMM Day
By Mahendra Mallya
The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million day is one to cherish for the sheer charisma it carries. Right from its’ inception in 1990, when Mr Stock owned, Ivor Fernandes trained Le Gris Cheval was brought home by Bajrang Singh, this race has been a major milestone for the equine juveniles. These young colts and fillies steal the show. However, for this year’s edition, which was run on last Sunday, these equine youngsters certainly shared the centre-stage and the spotlight with their human counterparts. The latter comprised of youthful, lively and highly spirited children, unmindful of the catastrophe that has befallen them. These young boys and girls are under the care of the Indian Cancer Society (ICS). They were the actual guests of honour for the day, invited specially for the occasion. The dance performance rendered by these innocent angels touched the hearts of those who witnessed them and two obvious things that one couldn’t miss was the smile on their lips and the twinkle in their eyes.
The RWITC and the Poonawalla Group had a common mission - a donation drive for the benefit of the Cancer Institute. Dr Kurkure, who represented the ICS in his brief speech while on the presentation podium, informed the patrons the hardships faced by the patients and their gritty fight against the dreaded disease. The responsibilities lay, he stated, with the privileged of the society to extend a helping hand in any manner possible.
The RWITC donated Rs.6,00,000/- to the ICS. The Poonawallas chipped in, offering a Nano car as a bumper Prize specially for the donors. One had to purchase a red flag for a paltry sum of Rs 100/- to be eligible for the lucky draw. The initiative was warmly accepted and little red flags fluttered in most hands. They sold fast and from the pulse that I gathered, the Nano was not the sole reason for the brisk sales. Mumbai does hide a soft underbelly!
Most owners of the winners of the day were liberal with their winnings and donated varying amounts from their day’s stakes earned. Overall, the drive was hugely successful and the ‘feel good cheer’ spread around the racecourse and added to the glamorous ambience.
On the business front, the day started on an auspicious note with the followers of favourites hitting the bulls –eye when Devilitto romped home carrying a huge purse on his back. However, the anxiety of the race was stretched past the track as the Stewards held an enquiry into the race. The outcome, however, saw no change in the judge’s placing.
A defining moment of the season was the installation of the new Sterline Starting Gates, recognised as one of the best and safest starting stalls in the world. Sterling Starting Gates are preferred by most of the top racecourses across the globe. After the unfortunate Running Bull mishap in Pune, the RWITC got serious about the safety and welfare of both, the horses and the jockeys. After elaborate sourcing and deliberations, the Club, determined to eradicate any chance of a recurrence, unanimously agreed upon procuring the safest starting gates, despite Running Bull’s incident being the solitary one for decades. These new gates are shaped to accommodate the horses without causing them any discomfiture which would play a huge part in ensuring that the horses are calm inside the gates.
The new gates were inaugurated by three Chairmen Mr Vivek Jain (RWITC), Mr Shivlal Daga (Stewards of the Club) and Mr Z S Poonawalla (Animal Safety and Welfare Working Group) along with the members of the managing committee. The starting gates, imported from Australia, were put to use in The Intervalve (India) Ltd Trophy which took off from right across the Grand Stands after a brief ceremonial inauguration. In a mirthful remark, Mr Zavaray Poonawalla announced over the mike that for the first time, spectators would witness the Club’s authorities walking into the gates rather than the race-horses!
A loud cheer and applause ensued, as the gentlemen cut the ribbons and entered the gates. Not one to miss an opportunity for a humorous statement, ace commentator Deepak Rajpal, as usual noticed the ‘even start’ as the gentlemen exited from the gates and quipped into his mike, “Off they go and it’s a level start” in lighter vein. Solor, from trainer Nina Lalvani’s yard, won the race subsequently.
Raking in all the fun and frolic, were a number of Australian patrons comprising the top brass of the Australian Trade Commission (ATC) and their representatives and guests. The Commission hosted a High Tea for their selective guests who were there to witness the Melbourne Spring Carnival 2011 Cup. The race was won by Harlamoff in an impressive fashion, carrying the burden of 61.5 kilos.
“It’s been an enjoyable day at the racecourse and the races were most competitive. I sincerely wish that the association between the racing fraternity of both, India and Australia grows stronger. That would be a good thing to happen”, said the ATC representative at the presentation podium.
The grand finale was the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million that saw a befitting finish that enthralled the masses. Local big-wigs of the track, Amadeus and Picasso were given a run for their money by the Bangalore challenger Aidan. An intense battle unfolded for the prestigious trophy and spotting the winner even in the final furlong was tricky. The top three contenders outpaced the rest, but very little separated between them at the wire. A dramatic chain reaction 300 meters from home sparked by Aidan, led to a stewards’ enquiry, although the result remained unchanged. Picasso, with French saddle artist Stepahne Pasquire in the saddle, proved his worth and snatched the narrow verdict on the wire with a gutsy performance.
Picasso (Black Cash – Allies Serenade) is owned by the Dhunjibhoys and they were ecstatic and proud to lead in their own Nanoli Stud Farm bred colt to the winner’s enclosure. “It’s a great feeling and a moment of pride and joy. I had tremendous hope that Picasso would do it. He had shown what he can do in his last couple of starts and I believed he had it in him to pull it off today. Glad to be right at the end of it, but the finish was too close a call” said Mr Khushroo Dhunjibhoy.
Mr Vivek Jain presented a memento to the Poonawalla brothers as a token of appreciation for the sponsorship of the mega event. “I thank Dr Cyrus and Mr Zavaray Poonawalla for their continued support and making the day such a high profile and entertaining,” said Mr Jain.
The Poonawalla brothers on their part assured that the next edition of their race would be a lot more exciting and promised to take it to a much higher level in 2012.
The Contest of skill, one of the innovative competitions for the masses, first introduced by the Poonawallas themselves, saw eight correct entries. A Maruti Swift was given away to one lucky winner, by way of a lucky draw amongst the correct entries. An LCD TV set, an Acer Laptop and a list of high-end wrist watches were given away as consolation Prizes.
Another landmark day had ticked by and before the euphoria of the PBMM magic simmers down, the RWITC committee and its officials are already at work, to usher in another huge event. The HDIL Turf Invitation Cup weekend with its ‘high drama package’ of pulsating races, has just turned the corner. The Mahalaxmi racecourse gets a leg-up, ready to play host to yet another high-voltage weekend!
