After a four-month drought of live racing, local turfites are hungry to witness the thunder of thoroughbred hooves on the Calcutta monsoon track. The two-month long monsoon racing season kicks off on Tuesday and culminates on the eve of the city’s iconic Durga Puja celebrations on Sunday, September 28.

Vice-president racing Amit Chaturvedi is extremely optimistic that it will be a splendid two months of horse-racing: “The monsoon track is in fine fettle  – well geared up for the season ahead. Contrary to popular belief, the track performs better after a few showers. Expecting showers before and during the race days. The trainers have provided us with good fields and here’s wishing all visitors to the Royal Calcutta Turf Club a marvellous season ahead.”

The advertised stake money for the meeting is Rs 3.86 crores with cups and trophies valued at Rs 4.95 lakh. Stakes earned by horses under the charge of ‘A’ licensed trainers will get a bonus stakes of 20% for all non-sweepstakes events. The meeting will comprise 10 race days with 61 races scheduled. The Calcutta Monsoon Derby and The Monsoon Cup are slated to be run on the last day – September 28. At this moment of time 207 race horses are stationed at RCTC under the charge of 20 ‘A’  and ‘B’ licensed trainers. More of our four-legged friends are expected to arrive as the season progresses.

Some of the big names among trainers to follow in the early part of the brief season are winter champion Aashay Doctor, Neil Darashah, Patrick Quinn and Rutherford Alford. Those looking for longer odds should keep an eye on trainers like Vikash Jaiswal and Sabeel Shariff. Trainer Adhiraj Singh Jodha has been suspended till Septmeber 26, suggesting that the popular schooler with several fans and followers at this centre may well have worthy entries for the Monsoon Derby and Monsoon Cup. At this point of time, trainer Aashay Doctor leads the sweepstakes and classic challenge with horses like four-year-olds Trakila and Nomitsi, and the three-year-old colt Pantazi – all of whom have summered well at Bangalore.

Talking about fans and followers, none can beat the trio of saddle artists  – Trevor Patel, Sandesh and Suraj Narredu who will be seen in action on the local track from time to time. All said and done, it ought to be a monsoon season with thrills galore!