Shivers, quivers and hotsteppers

Natasha and Adar Poonawala (TOI Photo) More picsA day at the races is always enjoyable, especially if it happens to be the prestigious McDowell Indian Derby, which was presented by Black Dog.
It was a sunny Sunday but also a rather breezy one at the Mahalaxmi racecourse with gents looking smug in their jackets and the ladies shivering in their bare-shouldered dresses.
Some with mini-skirts took the precaution of wearing stockings that added that stride in their step. Here comes the Hotstepper that’s what you sang as you saw the winning horse reach the end of the thrilling finish. Favourite Bourbon King was a poor fourth behind Sweeping Success in second place and Noble Prince in third spot.
And there were other hotsteppers too, in the form of showgirls from Australia who kicked up a storm in the paddock and on the ramp that was used for a fabulous fashion show the night before. Neil Barnes with his Elvis Presley act also added to the entertainment quotient. Guests sipped Black Dog and got into the spirit of the race, wining some and losing some. Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group looked dapper in a blue suit.
Other men spotted in the packed racecourse were racing enthusiasts Cyrus Poonawala and Vivek Jain, Jagjit Singh, Dalip Tahil, Randhir Kapoor, Kailash Surendranath and Brian Brown. Among the ladies making a style statement were Natasha Poonawala with a stunning hat that made heads turn and Lata Patel who sat in the box and watched the horses gallop around the corner and race to the finish.
Of course, thrilled to bits was Hotstepper jockey Mick Kinane, trainer Syed Shah and horse owner J K Rattonsey. And it was a dream come true for Tasneem Kanchwalla who won a luxury car for correctly predicting the first three spots in the Derby. S D Lalla, Joint President, United Spirits Limited, stated "We are a truly lifestyle company and ensure whatever we do reflects style, glamour and is an industry first. McDowell Indian Derby has been a great platform for us and has continued to offer unmatched entertainment to our patrons for the last 26 years. We are committed to take the McDowell Indian Derby at par with the international racing events."