Shirke Cashes in on Poonawalla Multi-Million Day - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 28 Feb 2012
Shirke Cashes in on Poonawalla Multi-Million Day
By Mahendra Mallya
It was a big day yet again for the RWITC as thousands thronged the Mahalaxmi racecourse for the high-profile Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr1). The Month of February is the peak of the Mumbai season with the iconic McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby igniting the month with the richest weekend in the country and In The Spotlight elevated her Star Status to become a Super Star this year. The Following Sunday Forest Flair unleashed a record breaking sprint to be crowned Champion Sprinter of the western India circuit by winning the DR SC Jain Sprinters’ Championship. Maple Star was incredible when he hammered the opposition to win the AGP Multi-Million on 19th February and last Sunday Hachiko bagged the biggest race for juveniles, the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million and was crowned the Leading Juvenile title.
The Poonawalla day has been a major hit with the masses mainly due to the fact that the general pulse is that the Poonawallas connect very well with the both ends of the society – the elite and also the not-so-elite. The common man in fact, is a lot more bonded, as he is accorded a welcome of sorts with free admission to the racecourse, which many taking this gesture as a personal 
invitation from the Poonawallas. This ‘feel-good’ cheer spreads throughout the day what with a host of prizes of high-end utility products, topped with a brand new car as the bumper prize. This has always remained a crowd favourite and goes a long way in popularizing the Poonawalla event.
On the Members’ enclosure side of the fence, the oomph factor is more pronounced and the designer wardrobe is well exhibited to boot, hats et al. This is a perfect blend of mixed masses that are in perfect sync with the ambience and with hardcore racing action tabled for the turf, the agenda is always perfect!
This year saw a strong delegation from Australia representing the Victoria Racing Club. Honourable personalities such as the Premier of the Victoria State, the Minister of Tourism, Vice-Chairperson of the Victoria Racing Club and the Chairman of the British Bloodstock Marketing along with a host of important dignitaries added an international flavour. One pleasant surprise was race commentator David Raphael who calls races in Australia and Hong Kong, called three races on the day, including the PBMM race. Well groomed starlets and fashion models propped up the atmosphere, wading through the lawns, immaculately clad and attracting appreciative glances. All this added immense value and the Poonawalla day was one of high-octane and electrifying.
On the track, there is no denying that Vijay Shirke grabbed all the limelight. He started off on a high note with Tolstoy bringing home the Lt Col Govind Singh (VRC) Trophy Div II, Demonstrator the Rusi Patel Trophy, Catharsis turning in a lively performance to clinch the Melbourne Racing Carnival 2012 Trophy and culminating the day fittingly, by winning the plum event – the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million with unbeaten hero - Hachiko. This is a rare feat, particularly in western India, where an owner dashes to and fro to lead-in his horses as often in a single day. Besides carrying home glittering trophies and a small fortune in stake-money, Mr Vijay Shirke, just like his horses, would have ‘stripped fitter’ after ‘four outings’ in a single day. If one asks Mr Shirke his mantra in maintaining his slim-fit physique, his immediate response would aptly state ‘owning (winning) horses!’
Hachiko deserves a special mention as he was the true star of the day. He took on 14 top rivals and won the 1400m race like a champion. He was smartly out of the gates, sat well up with the cracking pace, moved to striking position an all important juncture, quickened just at the right time and sustained his momentum all the way, pulling off a perfectly planned strategy to claim the honours.
Owner Mr Vijay Shirke was jubilant and could not stop smiling as he posed for the photograph with his wife and daughter. “The Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million is a supreme test for youngsters and winning a race such as this one is indeed another high altogether. This was one race that I had not won and that has now been accomplished. I am happy for Mania (MK Jadhav) as he has put in a lot of effort and planning, all credit to him and Prakash," said Mr Vijay Shirke.
Hachiko’s trainer MK Jadhav had said before the race that the PBMM was one race that Mr Shirke had not won. “Nothing will give me more pleasure than to contribute to win him the Poonawalla Multi-Million Trophy. Hachiko is the right candidate to fill this void and I am hoping that he does it for Mr Shirke” Jadhav had said days before the big race.
After winning the race, Mr Jadhav was genuinely pleased. “I am happy for myself and even happier for Mr Vijay Shirke, now that we have won the elusive trophy. Hachiko brought him this glorious triumph. I was particularly confident that Hachiko was in the condition to deliver, but I will also have to admit that I was tensed even though Hachiko was in the lead and going well. It was a close call in the end as Days Best did give me split seconds of anxiety,” said Mr Jadhav.
For jockey B Prakash, this was his fifth success in the PBMM. He rode astutely nursing the MK Jadhav ward until the turn and then stole a march on the others, egging on Hachiko, getting the best out of him and successfully seeing off the last moments and thwarting the late challenge from Richard Hughes ridden Days Best.
Mr Vivek Jain, Chairman said “It was an excellent day- of style and chic. The attendance, up by 11%, was encouraging. The Aussie delegation, led by the Premier of Victoria added the right touch. I have shared some thoughts with the Poonawalla family to help drive up both visibility and numbers.”
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla acknowledged the gratitude expressed and while receiving a special memento from Mr Jain, said “We always strive to showcase Indian racing to international standards and next year we will go even bigger and contribute more to the stakes and make this race richer and even more high profile.”
Mr Zavaray Poonawalla sprayed the bubbly with enthusiasm and showed great joy and spirit. “It is a privilege to have such an elite international audience. I personally thank the Premier, Victoria State, the Vice-Chairperson Amanda and all the dignitaries present. This is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and open bi-lateral trade between the countries. It opens up so many avenues to taking racing to another level,” he said.
Among the awards to the invitees on the day, was one to the best dressed lady and gentleman. Designers Falguni and Shane Peacock were the judges and they spotted Ms Shazeen Lawyer and Mr Marco Riggio, who were duly conferred the respective titles.
The traditional Car, a Volkswagen Polo was won by a certain Mr Anil Sanghvi a middle aged man from the 1st enclosure. His was the only correct entry nominating Hachiko, Days Best, Sikandar and Machiavellianism in the right order. While Hachiko and Days Best were regular selections, most were stumped by the third and fourth slots. Mr Sanghvi deservedly won unopposed!
“My heartfelt thanks to Poonawalla Sahib. I have always participated and dropped my contest forms for the last four years since I started coming to the races. It was a dream to win something here. I am immensely happy and my joy cannot be expressed in words. You can see I am shaking in disbelief. My family will be stunned but overjoyed when I tell them. I have never owned a car before and this is princely for us. Long live the Poonawallas and I also thank the RWITC for this providing such a great moment in my life,” said Mr Sanghvi, bubbling with excitement.
Another important sequence in the day was the exhibit of the Melbourne Cup. Ms Amanda Elliott, Vice Chairperson of the Victoria Racing Club held the trophy aloft with pride and joy writ large on her face. “It’s great to be in India and witness your races. You have a wonderful racecourse here and the racing action is competitive as well. It is with pleasure that I display the Melbourne Cup and take this opportunity to welcome you all to the Melbourne Cup Carnival which is run on the first Tuesday of November. This race has a rich history of just over 150 years and this is one race that stops the nation. I would like you all to come and witness this race this November,” said Ms Amanda.
The Melbourne Cup is made of 18 carat gold valued around Rs 9 million. This is a historic race and top class horses from international racecourses take part in this race. ‘The race that stops the nation’ is run over two miles. It generates a lot of passion and euphoria in Australia and the world over and since it is run on Tuesday, a special holiday is declared by the government to enable the locals to witness the race. It would be a welcome gesture if the Maharashtra Government too would encourage racing and be more pro-active in providing much needed benefits to horseracing and ensure that the royal sport thrives.
The Poonawalla race day ticked off yet another gripping month of racing in Mumbai. Hachiko became the latest Hero and the Shirke – Jadhav camp couldn’t have asked for more. The turnout was high and the moments, memorable. Emotions were both high and low depending on which side one was and post mortems were being heard discussed in high tones. The winner takes it all! Hachiko did, in style! But the one to return home and make an entire family grateful to the Poonawallas is the humble Mr Anil Sanghvi, the man who was desperately seeking help to drive home his newly acquired car!
