It’s a Sunday with a difference at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. The HPSL Calcutta Monsoon Derby is to be run at 3.45 pm to decide the best three-year-old at this centre this rainy season. This is the 30th running of this event after Too Hot To Houch claimed the inaugural race three decades ago.

Chairman of RCTC Sudipto Sarkar had this to say: “ I would like to especially thank Mr Paladugu and HPSL for their generous sponsorship during the monsoon meeting. I am sure the partnership will continue during the forthcoming Calcutta Winter Meeting. We wish all our patrons a very happy Durga Puja”.

HPSL Director Paladugu was equally gracious as he stated: “It’s an honour to be part of this journey with the Royal Calcutta Turf Club and I personally thank the entire management for the support extended. We plan to take this relationship ahead with a mutual benefit. It’s time the entire industry worked closely to revive the legacy and bring new life to the equestrian sports industry.”

The HPSL Monsoon Derby field consists of four colts, a gelding and two fillies – a total of seven runners.Outstation challengers Casteel and Ranquelino may draw a lot of attention from local railbirds. The winner takes home a purse of about Rs 30 lakh. The Club has further added Rs 2 lakh to the Jackpot pool collection of the day.

Before the days of the Monsoon Derby, The Monsoon Cup used to be the blue riband of the season. Though relegated to its status as a ‘supporting event’ on this afternoon, it still holds a lot of glamour for oldtimers. This year sees a classy field of five runners – three of them rated above 100.

The card of eight races holds a lot of promise and excitement for turfites at this racecourse and the inter-venue  centres as well.  It is sure to be an enjoyable afternoon for the aficionados of the game, veteran punters and those first-timers willing to wage a ‘flutter on the nags’ to test their luck. So be sure to be at RCTC on Sunday to lap up the ‘sport of kings’!