It's show time, folks! The curtain goes up on the Kolkata winter season on Sunday and thereafter, it will be five-and-half months of thrills and thoroughbreds.
Despite the racing season having started off on the wrong foot with the cancellation of the opening raceday on October 25 for paucity of acceptors, the Stewards of Royal Calcutta Turf Club have gone out of their way to ensure a high-voltage meet packed with a host of graded events — some of which have their "added money" enhanced by as much as 200 per cent.
Secretary of RCTC, Boman Parakh, affirmed that the Club will leave no stone unturned to ensure a bright and successful season in all spheres. "You can be rest assured that the major race-days this season will wear a festive look and will attract large fields and crowds," he said.
However, leading trainer Daniel David was a little more reserved in his viewpoint.
"As several horses were overraced during the monsoon, it is difficult to for trainers to accept with them unless they are rested sufficiently. I have a new set of runners, not to mention the two-year-olds. I will have a total stable-strength of about 75 horses while my colleague Errol Bhungard is likely to end up with about 25," said David.
"In the initial part of the season, fields may lack numbers but there's no doubt that by December, fields will be far more attractive. What we need is a larger owner-base to improve the quality of racing at this centre," he added.
The added money for the Indian Champion Cup and Queen's Cup has been upped from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. A similar increase has been planned for the two mile classics from next season (2008-09).
The total stake money up for grabs this season is a whopping Rs 6.5 crore, which compares well with that offered by other centres in the country. Though the added money for the Calcutta Derby Stakes has been doubled to Rs 30 lakh from next season, unfortunately Eveready Industries has withdrawn its sponsorship for this Grade I event, considered to be the piece de resistance of the local winter season.
About 320 horses are in station to participate during the meet spanning 30 race days spread over five-and-half months—commencing on Sunday, November 4 and concluding on Friday, April 11.
Other than Daniel David, trainer Vijay Singh is expected to be in the forefront with a fairly large string comprising 49 older horses and 19 two-year-olds.
Two other trainers who are sure to have a major impact this season are Javed Khan and Robin Corner. Both are men with excellent track records and are certain to give the pair of top-notchers mentioned earlier, a run for their money. Thus far, 13 'A' and 2 'B' licenses have been granted to the trainers stationed at this centre.
As many as 24 'A' and 20 'B' licensed riders, spearheaded by Christopher Alford and Imran Chisty, will be donning silks for various owners. The power-packed stables of Deepak Khaitan and MAM. Ramaswamy are certain to dominate the proceedings once again as they have been doing during the past several years. It is also reliably learnt that the colours of big names like Dhunjibhoy and Vijay Mallya will be seen in action on all major race days.
An auction has been planned for Tuesday, November 20. Three two-year-olds and seven older horses brought to this centre by the Club will come under the hammer. Aspiring owners can cash in on this early auction sale.
Come Sunday, make it a point to have your finger in the pie when the season kick-starts with a bang!
