15 July,2011 07:09 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
Prize money to hit new high of Rs 7.4 crore this year, says turf club
It is that time of the year again when the glitz and glamour shifts to the Derby grounds. The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) yesterday announced the racing season in the city would begin from July 21.u00a0 The prize money this year will also be a new record at Rs 7.4 crore; last year it was Rs 7 crore.
Get set... Go:u00a0The action at the racecourse will last 27 days instead of
28 this season, says the Royal Western India Turf Club. File picu00a0
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"This years it's 27 days of racing and not 28, and the prize money is Rs 7.4 crore, which is a 7.5 per cent increase and a new record for Pune," RWITC chairman Vivek Jain said at a press meet Some of the top trophies will be the F D Wadia, the General Rajendrasinhji and S A Poonawalla trophies.
Lifestyle events
Many lifestyle events, including the O Awards, Oktobeer Fest, Marathi Festival, will be seen during the 27 days of racing.
Glam quotient
The racecourse has gained a reputation as a fashion hub during the season, with women making style statements with dresses, hats and boots. In the last few years, many Mumbai celebrities like Jackie Shroff and Sunil Shetty have made their way to the city for the racing. The club is also working on certain areas to give the races a new look and feel. It has replaced the tracks and paddock railings for the safety of the horses.
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But there were also some concerns among people, chiefly the safety of horses, the tax burden on punters and the revenue of the club. According to members, the punters were bearing the brunt of the new tax structure, which they are unhappy about.
