This Derby, crusty old punters peering into their race books, were getting ready to assess the horses in the paddock, when, instead, of the four-legged fleet of foot, two-legged-more-footsie-than-fleety fashion models sprang on to the space. The foreign models started dancing to ‘Will you be my chamak challo oh oh oh’. Racing regulars sighed in resignation, while some still clucked in irritation, waiting for the dance to get over, so that the horses could come on.

And that's hat: The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion brought hi-fashion visibility. Pic/ Nimesh Dave

With a terrific onslaught of entertainment and events at the race course, many purists are irked at fashion overtaking furlongs. They claim, serious things like studying the horses, watching the race, making bets after certain calculations and deliberations have been pushed into the background, as hype ‘n’ hoopla steals a march over hooves. Others though claim, one needs this to keep people coming in and if the world is in flux, then, even racing has to change.