Mumbai horse-racing: Foreign flavour to spice up kick-off

The richest ever Mumbai season, with total stakes close to 17 crore, is also expected to be extremely competitive

The richest ever Mumbai season, with total stakes close to 17 crore, is also expected to be extremely competitive. The presence of top European jockeys will only add to the spirited pursuit for glory. As many as nine foreign jockeys have been engaged by high profile owners, who will stop at nothing to see their horses whiz past the winning post ahead of the rest.

Ready: The Mumbai season kicks off at the Mahalaxmi racecourse today

Owners like Dr Vijay Mallya, Rakesh Wadhawan, Haresh Mehta, Jaydev Mody andu00a0 KN Dhunjibhoy to mention a few, have put their money where their passion is, and that means guaranteed high quality of racing for the Mumbai race-goer.

The well-filled nine-race first card for the first day is evidence of the eagerness of the professionals to get on with racing action. The season kicks off with the five-furlong Osman Chotani Plate for horses in the bottom class at 1.30 pm.

The high point of the day will be the Rahimtoola Chinoy Trophy, the first of the three trophy races which has Sea Ruler taking on a Class II set. Sea Ruler is expected to have a say in the big races this season and has done nothing wrong. It would be interesting to see how he shapes up as he will be the deserving favourite for that race.

Selections:
The Osman Chotani Plate (Class V; 1000m): 1 The First Lady, 2 Honeyday, 3 Mavericku00a0
The Rosmini Plate Class: Maiden 2 year olds only, (1000m): 1 Ocean Clipper, 2 Star Of Roses, 3u00a0 Titleist
The Gateway Of India Plate: Div 1.u00a0 Classu00a0 V-A (1200m): 1 Oh Calcutta, 2 Step By Step, 3 Sea Angel
The Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy Trophy Class II (1600): 1 Sea Ruler, 2 Forbes List, 3 Go Guzzi Go
Theu00a0 A Cambell Trophy: Div IIu00a0 Class IV (1400m): 1 Always., 2u00a0Itspiritofracing, 3 Born Destiny
The RWITC.COM Trophy: Maiden 3 year olds only (1400m):u00a0 1 Si Como No,u00a0 2 Sine Qua Non, 3 River Rule
The A Cambell Trophy: Div I Class IV (1400m): 1 Arbudh, 2 Alaska, 3 Top Action
The Secret Star Plate Class III (1200m): 1 Red Dragon, 2 Flaming Arrow, 3 River Blitz
The Gateway Of India Plate: Div IIu00a0 Cl V-A (1200m): 1 Hickory, 2 Bemisaal, 3 Prime Time
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Best Bet: Sea Ruler (4 - 2)
Good Bet: Red Dragon (6 - 10)
Chance Bet: Si Como No (8 - 5)
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FIRST JACKPOT POOL RACES: 2,3,4,5,6
SECOND JACKPOT POOL RACES: 5,6,7,8,9
FIRST TREBLE POOL RACES: 3,4,5
SECOND TREBLE POOL RACES: 6,7,8
THIRD TREBLE POOL RACES: 7,8,9
TANALA POOL RACES: ALL RACES
SUPER JKP POOL RACES: 4,5,6,7,8,9