The Mumbai horse-racing season got off to a galloping start over the weekend. The event, made up of 39 racing days, began with the expected thoroughbreds and thunder that accompanies races in the city. With the taxes cripplingly high and with financial losses dogging the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), its apex body is likely to struggle to bring in the numbers and make a turnaround this season.

Land sharks and politicians should refrain from adding to the problems of Mumbaikars by making another attempt to get a piece of the racecourse for commercial use, thereby barring public access to the venue.