The general health of the thoroughbreds stabled at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club seems to have improved marginally over the past week. ‘Complete rest’ as prescribed by the leading veterinarians of the country appears to have done wonders for the animals.

“ We are still monitoring them closely,” said the chairman of Stewards Cyrus Madan. “ The horses are rolling for a little longer period now and we hope to have them on the track by early December,” he added.

This would seem to suggest that if all goes well, it ought to be indeed a ‘Merry Xmas’ at the RCTC. Missng out on the New Year’s Day races at this centre would be sacrilege, as the 150-year-old tradition at this club would be snapped. Though union trouble had prompted the cancellation of the January 1 races nearly 15 years ago, ‘viral attack’ has never been the cause.

The local racing fraternity is keeping their fingers crossed so that the thunder of hooves return to the winter track as early as possible.