Haute on heels at the derby

The Lower Parel-based taxi driver has no idea why there’s “so much traffic on a Sunday”. And when informed that it’s Derby Day, he is keen on knowing who the day’s favourite is!

On a day when all roads — at least in SoBo — led to the Race
Course, toddlers and nonagenarians flocked in numbers for a perfect ‘picnic’ day.

While kids found solace in stray puppies and junk food, the elders were in for a field day with booze available at throwaway prices — free for pass-holders and just Rs50 if you are a ‘common’ man, not to forget the choicest cigars and cigarettes.

Fancy bags, fancier hats, opera glasses, blazers and high heels were also part of the show. And of course, the place was a haven for passionate gamblers.

From charming would-be mommas to impeccably dressed aged gentlemen, from sizzling beauties with haute outfits to frantic last-minute bets, Sunday’s race had it all.

For those who were new to the stands, the first rule drilled — or rather yelled — into was ‘Never stand up when a race is on’. And for those who are never enthused by the odds and evens, the paddock was the place to be.

Randhir Kapoor and Babita made their presence felt but many were complaining why they didn’t get Kareena along! Then there were Nisha Jamwal, Narendra Kumar (in pink trousers), Sarah Jane, Pankaj Udhas et al. And there were the usual suspects in Vijay Mallya, his son Sidharth, the Poonawalas and their Rolls Royce Phantom.