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A moment from the 2011-2012 derby
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The second Sunday of a New Year and Calcutta can almost hear the distant hooves kick up a storm at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. After all, it is time for the blue-riband race of the season, The Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes 2012-2013 (Grade I), in association with The Telegraph.
Stepping into its ninth year, it also happens to be the richest race of the season with over Rs 2 crore at stake.
With nine races starting from noon on January 13, it will be four hours of turf-thumping excitement at the royal turf. Set to be the longest race of the day at 2,400 metres, the derby would be seventh in line, scheduled at 3.05pm.
“There are eight contenders vying for the coveted prize and each horse is well placed to win the derby. Malpensa will be the local challenger and there is Deepak Khaitan’s horse Snowscape. The race favourites, however, would be Borsalino and Silverina, the latter having won the 2000 Guineas this season,” said Anit Casyab, the club’s assistant general manager (racing) and commentator.
“Driven by passion and powered by Eveready,” said Amritanshu Khaitan, the managing director of Eveready, about the derby.
To kickstart the Sunday race a pre-derby rock night, Ready To Rock presented by The Eveready Calcutta Derby, partnered by t2, will see Euphoria and Cactus take the RCTC stage on Saturday, 6pm onwards.
Also gearing up for one of the oldest races in the city, around for 56 years, will be the city’s fash-frat expected to take full advantage of the chill in the January air and bring out the long coats, flashy hats and fascinators. The dress code reads formal suits for the gentlemen and strictly ‘no-chappals-please’ for both him and her.
To book seats for the weekend excitement and pick up passes in advance, head for the race course office at RCTC or pick up the passes on the race day from the hospitality entrance at the members’ enclosure.
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