Gallop,Glory & Glamour

“The main reason the race is popular is the whopping prize money of Rs 2 million. It also helps that everybody can participate in a variety of events during the event,” says Col (Retd) SR Gidwani,who has been with the Poonawalla Group for over two decades. One of the peripheral events is the “Contest of Skill” which one can win by predicting the top four horses in the race.

If there’s a fierce contest on the tracks,there’s a more subtle one off it. Check out the finery on display,from the smart bags to the fitted dresses and the fancy hats. The race,which was upgraded to Grade 2 from Grade 3 in 1990,meaning a race for horses up to three-years-old,has had some of the best dressed models and socialites watching from the sidelines. The Poonawalla ladies — Natasha and Michelle — lead the line-up with their well defined attire and accessories.

Among the crowd,many have come for the first time but by the time the horses have sauntered back to the stables,they become die-hard fans. “The adrenaline rush that one experiences after seeing a race is incomparable. That is probably is the reason fans and supporters become a part of the racing season year after year,” says Gidwani.

Kelly Kotwal,Director of Marketing for the Poonawalla Stud Farms,mentions that there is a close scrutiny of the lineage of the horses. “The quality of the animals running,their lineage and also the pedigree are important factors in this race.” But,as veterinarian Dr Amit Patil,working at the Poonawalla Stud farm,says,“Rarely do we find a horse that is perfect.”

But when the stakes are so high,every factor counts.