Pune: The thunder of hooves will return to the Pune racetrack tomorrow. It is bound to sound like music to the ears of race lovers who have been patiently biding their time after getting drunk on the heady wine of night racing in April at Mahalaxmi.


Full house: Packed stands (Governor's Cup day in 1912) at Pune is one feature that is still unchanged after more than 100 years. Every race day during the monsoon season sees a full house even today. RWITC archives 

The Peshwa city boasts of a special, "monsoon" racetrack that was laid in 1995 at a cost of Rs one crore, and that investment seems to have paid many times over as racing has generally continued without a hiccup despite regular, intermittent showers during the races. Pune racing has its own, unique charm. Racing on the track alternates between a laid-back, relaxed style that suddenly transforms into a festive--almost carnival--ambiance on the traditionally important days, beginning with the Independence Day.