‘Focus on quality, not quantity

The focus would be on quality rather than quantity when action begins at the Mahalaxmi Race Course from Saturday.

“We hope to make it up in quality when the races begin here as we have lost in quantity,” said the chairman steward of the Royal Western Indian Turf Club, Vivek Jain, while talking to DNA.

The racing season, which kicks off two months later, will have all the classics and the only major event missing would be the Invitation Cup. It has been postponed till the next year and will be held in Mumbai.

The first classic to kick off the action would be Indian 1000 Guineas, one of the oldest events since 1942-43. In those days it carried a prize purse of Rs 20,250!

Initially, this event was entirely sponsored by the RWITC till 1988-89 when Cruickshank decided to fund it. They remained the sponsors for four seasons (till 1991-92). McDowell and Royal Challenge then supported it for a year each. Over the next five years it was Castrol, who were the longest sponsors of this race (1994-99).

“Indian 1000 guineas will be the first classic this season and the Indian Derby will be held on April 12. All the Sunday races have found sponsors and we are thankful to them,” said Jain

In all about 1300 horses would be pressed into service this season.

Meanwhile, RWITC have brought forward the date of their third day’s meeting from January 8 to January 7 at the request of the Bangalore Turf Club.