RWITC's spectacular programme of horseracing takes sport to its zenith
By Usman Rangila
March 6, 2004
The Indian Turf Invitation weekend, considered as the most spectacular and exclusive event in the horseracing calendar in India, will be hosted by the Royal Western India Turf Club at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7 respectively. The mother of all battles witnessed on the Indian turf returns to the Mecca of horse racing i.e. the Mahalaxmi grounds, after an interval of five years.
It is in the first week of March every year that horseracing reaches its zenith when the best thoroughbreds from all over the country are invited to participate in various events. The ultimate winners of all categories are crowned as champion horses. The four main races to be run during the weekend are The A.V. Thomas Sprinters’ Cup (1200m), The B.K. Rattonsey Stayers’ Cup (3000m), The Major P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile (1600m) and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup (2400m). The first two events are traditionally run on Saturday followed by the premier racing event on Sunday.
This will be the 42nd running of the Turf Invitation Cup and passionate racegoers from all corners of the country are already trickling in to the city. Dignitaries representing the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, the Madras Race Club, the Hyderabad Race Club and the Bangalore Turf Club will also converge at Mumbai this week. The presentation of the sixth Indian Racing Awards, an exclusive property of the Turf Authorities of India, will be held on Saturday night. These awards are to honour the champions of the Indian Turf for the performance in the preceding year i.e. 1st November 2003 to 31st October 2003.
The RWITC has created a record of sorts this year as a whopping 1.6 crore rupees will be on offer as stake-money for the eighteen races that will be run during the two-day racing carnival. Except for the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, all the other races are sponsored events. Taking cue from the contest of skill run by the Poonawallas, the RWITC in association with CasinoNepalOnline.com is conducting an exciting contest of skill where the person who correctly nominates the winners of the four prime events of the weekend will be eligible to participate in a lucky draw to win a grand prize of a Maruti Zen car. The winner has to remain present personally to collect the prize. Apart from this, all successful jackpot-pool tickets up to the Indian Turf Invitation Cup race will be eligible to participate in a lucky draw for five prizes of an all-paid round trip to Kathmandu. All successful tanala-pool tickets for the Indian Turf Invitation Cup race will be eligible for similar prizes. All successful tanala-pool tickets of the Victoria Racing Club Trophy, sponsored by the staff of the Poonawalla Stud Farms, will be eligible for prize of a motorbike. All the lucky punters who correctly predict the winner and the runner-up of the A.V. Thomas Sprinters’ Cup and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup will be eligible for a lucky draw to win a luxurious 3-night/4-day vacation (including return airfare ex-Mumbai) for two at Ramada Caravela Beach Resort. Casino Goa, Air Sahara and Ramada Beach Resorts have sponsored this prize.
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