13 November,2009 07:49 AM IST | | A correspondent
It is hold your horses time for punters, who were looking forward to the start of the 42-day Mumbai racing season. The season has been delayed as the stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) have called off the opening day of the season, which was supposed to be on Sunday, November 15.
The racing season would now begin on November 19 or November 22.
Vivek Jain, chairman, stewards said that unseasonal Mumbai rain rendered large parts of the stable area water-logged and the working tracks have been closed for three days. In the circumstances, the horses would not be ready in sufficient numbers on the opening day. Apparently, it is not just reins but 'rains' that have held back the horses this time.
"Since it was the opening day of the season we felt that racing on a wet grass track could damage portions of it and the pragmatic view was to delay the start to the following week," said Jain.
Over 850 horses of the total horse strength of 1150 have arrived in Mumbai, and the balance would arrive by the weekend. For those who remain downcast at the prospect of waiting some more to feel that adrenaline rush that horse racing brings about, have some cheer.
The repair work to the third deck (affected by the fire) is finally complete and would be available to members from the opening day.
