26 July,2017 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash Gosavi
From a financially stressed race club struggling for its existence to an unsympathetic central government slapping the highest rate of GST (28%) on horse betting
From a financially stressed race club struggling for its existence to an unsympathetic central government slapping the highest rate of GST (28%) on horse betting - nothing can really dampen the spirit of the Pune race goer who is all charged up to greet the Pune monsoon racing season starting this week.
Between tomorrow and the last Sunday of October (29th), the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) will conduct 24 race days.
From the month of August racing will shift to weekends-except the Tuesday of August 15 when the Independence Trophy will be run in all its glory.
The shift to weekends will make it easier for Mumbai race lovers who treat every weekend as a mini-vacation to this old Peshwa city which still carries its unique
charm of old world racing against the backdrop of sun and rain taking their turns to influence the outcome of races.
But no one complains. A senior horse trainer once confessed to me he fails to understand how professionals, who would cut each other's throat to win a race at Mumbai, suddenly transform into old English pub buddies, sometimes even casually asking one another in the paddock, "Are you trying? I am asking because I think my horse also has a small chance."
