The RWITC is gearing up for the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) at a fast rate with the opening day of the five-day conference just round the corner. At a press briefing held at the Club’s ‘Card Room’ at Hooves, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman of the ARC 2016 looked determined to ensure high success for this mammoth event hosted by India for the second time, the last being in 1995.

“It is a privilege to be hosting the ARC 2016. I am confident that it will be a riveting experience and the exchange of new ideas and opportunity to learn so much within the five days of the conference is something everyone will look forward to. The conference will deal with several topics on racing and some of the experts have several interesting suggestions and innovations which should help the sport grow and move forward at a greater rate. I would like to urge the entire racing fraternity to attend the conference which already has a healthy overseas representation and the registrations so far have numbered to well over 600, which indeed is encouraging. It will prove to be an important exercise with detailed discussion on horse-breeding, overall racecourse management, wagering landscape, Drug free racing are some of the crucial subjects that could change the running of the sport,” said Dr Poonawalla.

The very aim of the any conference in any field is assessing and analyzing the core area of focus and to mull over improving and taking things forward in any chosen field. A collective train of thoughts and innovative suggestions and ways to implement logical changes should interest the relevant students or players in the field. Horseracing is a complex sport to adjudicate and govern and every little bit of brainstorming on this should receive wholesome and enthusiastic response, particularly from those who are integral part of the sport. The ‘colder-than-lukewarm’ response from Indian trainers jockeys and to an extent owners and followers of the game, thus is appalling if not grossly abysmal. With only a few days left for the ARC India 2016 to get underway, it is hoped that the representation from the above cited bodies multiplies and if that should happen, it would show the hunger for pursuit for knowledge and possibly some inputs/suggestion from all those who are attached closely to the game.

The importance of the ARC is in high measure as global ideas and ways of promoting the sport will surely have a bank of ideas. Seminars on handicapping and international movement of horses and other intricate horseracing related topics always takes the sport forward and such a congregation of reputed speakers such as Winfred Engelbrecht-Bresges, Zavaray Poonawalla, Johnny Weatherby, Yu Pang Fey, Frank Gabriel, Vivek Jain, Cyrus Madan, Brain Stewart, Dr FF Wadia, Louis Romanet, Andrew Harding among several other experts would surely be a learning and enthralling experience.

Combining business with pleasures, elaborate planning has been put in place to entertain the delegation with ethnic cultural extravaganzas after business hours. An assorted array of music, dance and showbiz entertainment will surely make the evenings most looked forward to by the masses. Brunches and banquets during work hours and sumptuous menus at dinner should make the five-day conference a memorable one. A fitting finale is the tour of the famed Poonawalla Stud Farm hosted by the Chairman, Dr CS Poonawalla himself.

An interesting last minute inclusion, subject to the management’s approval is the inclusion of a discussion on how cricket is being promoted and the alarming success the game has achieved across the globe. Cricket, particularly in India has evolved to the highest levels and the governing body, the BCCI, has achieved and has grown to be the richest cricket board in the world. It is learnt that well-known journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and cricketer Zaheer Khan will share their ideas and this could be a positive diversion that may provide some value on marketing and promotion.

From the Mumbai racing point of view, the opening day of the ARC will be highlighted by the running of the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr 1), the feature of a day over a dazzling race card. Indian Champion colt Quasar too would be showcasing his prowess in one of the races on the day.

The Turf Authorities of India has lent its might and the RWITC as always, promises to deliver in the best possible manner. All efforts are on with the single focus of making the ARC India 2016 a memorable experience. Everyone worth his/her salt will be keen to attend this immensely educative and entertaining five-day mission. Indiarace wishes Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and the RWITC the very best and high success in their worthy endeavour.