Chasing history on Derby Day

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">MUMBAI: Khushroo Dhunjibhoy will be chasing history on Derby Day this Sunday. The chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club, Dhunjibhoy, is pushing for a record of being the first owner to win all five classics in the same season in Mumbai. <br /><br />Trainer Rashid Byramji and jockey Jagdish have won all five in one season but no owner so far has achieved this. Besides hoping to win Dhunjibhoy hopes the crowd comes back to give racing its place in the sun. Excerpts from the interview.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">History beckons you, first owner to win all five classics in Mumbai?</span><br /><br />I am keeping my fingers crossed that one of my horses win. But when you have 20 horses running you have to be lucky, you''ve got to have the luck of the run. Still, Venus Arising is quite a spectacular filly she will be hard to beat.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">When did you first watch a Derby? </span><br /><br />I think it was over 50 years ago when I was six. The winner I think was Camy Scott.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What changes do you see then and now?</span><br /><br />For my first Derby day, I had to walk from Pedder Road to the Mahalaxmi course, such was the congestion. I don''t think this will happen again but I am trying to get the people back.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What steps are you taking to make people come to racing for sporting not betting reasons?</span><br /><br />The club has set up a team of young people like Mohit Lalwani, Sunil Jhangiani and Riyad Oomerbhoy to bring in new ideas. The whole thing started well but we have to prod them to take in through. The committee members are helpful in getting sponsors.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Finally a Derby without Pesi Shroff in saddle, what are your feelings?</span><br /><br />I know. Though Pesi has turned a trainer he doesn''t have a runner in this Derby. Hopefully, he will have one next year. I think he will be a success in his new avataar.</div> </div>