Mahalaxmi season under 'cloud'

Start of Mumbai season under cloud

(Please Check the latest UPDATE at the bottom of this article)

Thursday's spell of rain in the city has put a question mark over the start of the Mahalaxmi racing season that is scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 14.

"We were all geared up for a perfect start, but this sure is a setback," the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) estate officer, Suhail Khan, told MiD-DAY.

Ironically, despite the untimely and unwelcome showers the racetrack is absolutely fit for racing, but the stable area, that is expected to house over 1,000 horses coming from Pune, is a cause for concern.

"There is a sheath of water," explained Khan, "and since we have black soil there, the access to the stables has been badly affected."

The RWITC committee on Friday morning issued a ban on movement of horses from Pune until further notice. The equines were earlier slated to start migrating from November 8.

"I am confident of a timely start," RWITC chairman Vivek Jain told MiD-DAY, "Thursday's rain will delay the arrival of horses, but the runners scheduled for the opening day's races can come even a week from now."

However, Jain who added, "We will do our best within the constraints imposed by nature", perhaps may not be left with too many options if the weather bureau warning comes true. As per the Accuweather.com satellite forecast, the city is likely to experience showers every day between November 14 & 19, which includes the first two race days of the forthcoming season.

UPDATE: There is NO RAIN yet (as of 7:55 pm on Friday, November 12) in Mumbai. Looks like we are all set to enjoy racing on Sunday.

(c) MiD DAY