<p><strong>Weather might play a huge factor this Sunday, but opinions vary</strong>u00a0 <br /><br />THE heat is on and this time, it is not the backless dresses that might cause the mercury to rise. The equine flu has resulted in the McDowell Signature Indian Derby being run on Sunday, April 12, instead of the traditional first Sunday of every February.<br /><br />
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<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 8pt">Diabolical, winner of the McDowell Indian Derby last year. File Pic</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Vivek Jain, chairman, Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) media and marketing committee plays down mercury worries saying that, "For the punter, things are going to be cool because there is to be a 16,000sq ft air conditioned tent in the members lawn. The dress code too is casual."<br /><br />The Derby race has been pushed to 5.05 pm this time, (instead of 4 pm) in view of the weather, but Jain says, "It is also important to have the race run later to build the excitement. In fact, it was run at 5 pm last year."<br /><br />Horse owner, Jamshed Appoo who has a filly called Ice Breaker running in the Derby, snorts dismissively and says, "The heat is going to play a big factor, for people who might stay away and the horses too. Last Sunday, six horses bled because of the heat and though the club cannot help it, this is the worst time to have the Derby." Jain has said that he expects a, "record time" this Derby but Appoo counters, "We might have a record time but that is because the track is very hard. It has not been looked after properly."u00a0u00a0 <br /><br />Adil Gandhy, vice-president Amateur Riders Club (ARC) says cautiously, "Dry-coated horses (horses do not sweat) may be in distress. I have seen horses drop dead in 40 degrees heat post races." Trainer S Padmanabhan says, "Heat plays a definite factor here. But it has been kinder since the past 2-3 days so one can pray this continues." Horse owner Masoom Master says the horses would adapt.</p>

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Weather might play a huge factor this Sunday, but opinions vary

Will the heat takes its toll on Sunday's Derby?

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Will the heat takes its toll on Sunday's Derby?

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