The Derby is all about style and class

The Royal Western India Turf Club has laid down the law for men, gentlemen in suits or blazers and that is why you will see them like always braving the early afternoon heat. The older lot in the members stand will be in staid suits, the younger lot nattier, more with it, a blazer worn over jeans in a fashionable marriage of the formal and informal. Every now and then one is sure to see a shocking pink tie, a neon green wisp of cloth or a ink blue silk number on a gentleman’s chest making a loud fashion statement.

Then there will be the sun-glasses stakes, where everyone hopes to be well… a shade better than the next. Every shape, every size and every colour will be on view. Perched on heads, perched on noses, held in hands, there will be Oakleys, Ray Bans and Crocodiles. There will be the young gent in the non-members stand who wears his 50-rupee shades from a Colaba bylane with the same pride as a Ray Ban and a young woman whose just bought from Dharavi bag will weather the leather of the gal with Gucci.

Then there will be those serpentine queues at the tote windows as the betting for the Derby reaches fever pitch. Punters-for-a-day who have never bet before will drive the people at the window crazy trying to get the permutations right. As the gates slam open for the Derby all binoculars will be up as if in a salute to the action. The screaming will reach a crescendo as the horses cross the finish line.

The tradition goes on. But Vijay Mallya’s baby as the Derby is known, makes a slight detour this year. In respect and in keeping with the somber tone of the nation due to the Gujarat tragedy, the pre-Derby night, a fun, food and fashion fiesta held on the eve of Derby day stand cancelled. The premier race on the Indian calendar is all about style and class.

(Professional Management Group).