The milestone 75th Indian Derby is over and done with, but the dust is still swirling on the picturesque track at Mahalaxmi. Racing’s most prestigious event is over but don’t put away your binoculars yet — instead, take a good, hard look at this green emerald of SoBo.

This race has shown us just how important the racecourse is to Mumbai. This turf of the sport of kings is a vital green lung in a concrete-covered city and, lately, it has become a favourite stomping ground for running clubs that have mushroomed after the Mumbai marathon provided the spark for the current running boom. The open, green pocket serves as an easy-to-access recreational space for thousands of walkers and joggers.