The Poonawalla Mysore Derby 2007 (Grade I) to be run on Sunday (Oct 28) promises to set new standards in terms of stake money being offered to the participants. With three final entries in Splendid Surprise ( Mysore 2000 Guineas winner), Star Team and Sprucespringstein contributing additional entry fees, total stakes have risen to over Rs 79 lakh. The winner is likely to get about Rs 47 lakh. This is a record for the Mysore Race Club. It is going to be the third richest Derby after the McDowell Indian Derby and the Bangalore Kingfisher Summer Derby (both these races are sponsored by liquor-baron Dr Vijay Mallya).
In India, the name "Poonawalla" is synonymous with huge events in Indian racing. The day they looked in to the Mysore Race Club, a couple of years ago, there was excitement in the air. Racing patrons at this small but extremely beautiful racing centre were expecting bigger and better racing, and they have not been disappointed. I have personally been visiting this centre for over 25 years. The changes in the last three years are spectacular. The new team at Mysore Race Club is also very vigilant and has set new standards in race supervision. The stake money on offer has vastly increased and is comparable to the best in the country. It is also reported that the tote collections at this centre have doubled over the last year. All in all, everything is moving in the right direction and we may soon see Mysore emerging as an independent racing centre.
The Poonawalla family is planning to make the event memorable for patrons who would be there on Derby day. In addition to other prizes, there will be a free contest of skill with the winner driving away a car. The entire family plans to be there with their numerous celebrity guests.
C Kanth Raj Urs, the youngest ever chairman at the Mysore Race Club and his team is putting up a huge stabling complex on a recently acquired site in Mysore. This is going to have 600 stables and a world-class equine hospital. In addition to this, Bangalore Turf Club is assisting them in putting up another 200 stables for housing the two-year olds prior to their arrival in Bangalore.
The entire complex is going to be set up on international standards. In his post-Derby speech at Mysore two years ago, ZS Poonawalla had stated that he "loved the Mysore race Club and the people of Mysore". Poonawalla will be accorded the honour of laying the foundation stone at the site on the morning of the Derby day.
