It may be still a few furlongs away, but the heat is on for the McDowell Indian Derby to be run at the Mahalakshmi racecourse on February 7.

Cream of crop light up Indian Derby fray

It may be still a few furlongs away, but the heat is on for the McDowell Indian Derby to be run at the Mahalakshmi racecourse on February 7. The most prestigious race on the Mumbai racing calendar coupled with hi-fashion hype and glitz is a familiar cocktail of glamour and ghodas.

The cream of the equine crop features in the race that offers a prize purse of over Rs 2 crore in its 2010 edition. The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) announced the details of the race and its highlights of what is known as the Saturday-Sunday Derby weekend.

The horses in the fray include the filly, which according to many, looks like sure shot Derby winner
u2014 Jacqueline. The fancied filly's trainer Pesi Shroff though says of the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas and Indian Oaks winner, "Beckett may be a live danger to Jacqueline."

There is also Bruckner, Kolkata Derby winner in the line-up and Pesi's live danger Becket. Experts are also keeping an eye out for Onassis who won the Ruia Trophy.

If this sterling line-up causes you to burn your fingers, you can drown your woes in the Derby cocktail, Saddle Up. Entertainer Glenn Jackson is all set to bring Michael Jackson back to life with a rendition of his moves while vocalist Kaiya is to perform a tribute to Tina Turner. Like last year, an air-conditioned tent in the members' enclosure fashionably called a 'hanger' is part of the package. A Mercedes car is up for grabs in the Derby sweepstakes. Incidentally, previous car wins show that it is a novice or a first timer who does not know a colt from a gelding, who rides away with the car. Move over then for the excited racing rookies who make the Derby what it is here is more power to their betting arms.