Prakash Gosavi
gosavi@mid-day.com
PUNE: Admitting that the unresolved GST issue is still a big hurdle for horse racing, former chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), and presently its biggest donor, Zavaray S Poonawalla, predicted good days ahead for the sport. He was addressing the media before the upcoming Pune monsoon racing season. He cited the record highest stakes offered for the season and the all round support for a unified national tote as "very positive developments".
"The National tote will be a reality, hopefully by August 15, and if not, certainly by the end of August," he asserted.
"Our lead in offering highest stakes has set the ball rolling," Poonawalla added, "I was told by heads of many other race clubs when I met them over the weekend on the occasion of Bangalore Summer Derby that they were also seriously thinking of upgrading their stakes."
All the three RWITC stewards on the marketing group--Sunil Jhangiani, Ram Shroff and Shiven Surendranath-- attended the press meet, and endorsed Poonawalla's optimism. "We already have a sponsor for next year's Indian Derby," announced Shiven Surendranath, "and we are working on longer term partnership with them."
Sunil Jhangiani said they were focusing on every small step that could help the sport get in more footfalls and get back to its glory days. "We are considering adding a 'carnival touch' to racing, especially in the hotter months of March and April next year, taking advantage of the night racing we offer," he announced. "By April next year, we should know how well our plans are working, and can fine-tune our strategy," he added
"I am a small horse owner myself," Ram Shroff explained, "so I know what a great thing it is to know that half a million rupees will be on offer for every race in the two bottom classes. This, I am sure, will be a big draw for small owners all over the country who will give a serious thought to race their horses at Mumbai & Pune."
The Pune season will open with a two-day card, starting on Thursday, July 28.
Courtesy: mid-day
Prakash Gosavi
