The thundering hooves are within earshot as the first Sunday of February nears. The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr 1), which decides the best four-year-old horse in the country, is this Sunday. In its 75th year, the Derby will offer the owner a takeaway upwards of R2 crore as prize, out of a total stakes of Rs 3 crore.

Lots of firsts
For the first time in the history of the Indian Derby, the weekend races will begin under the floodlights on Saturday. Old-timers will remember Saturday night was formerly reserved for Vijay Mallya's pre-Derby party. With Mallya out of the country, it is now up to the turf club to glam up the race and this is one way of doing it. In addition, guests will have to cough up a steep R1,000 as entrance charge. The club justifies this saying punters will be allowed to take in their cellphones.