MUMBAI – The wait is finally over! The long-awaited racing season in Mumbai bursts into life today (Thursday, 27 November 2025) as the Royal Western India Turf Club’s (RWITC) Mahalaxmi Racecourse welcomes fans, racing enthusiasts for a spectacular day of equestrian excitement. Thunderous hooves, fierce competition, and breathtaking finishes await as Mumbai’s finest thoroughbreds make their seasonal debut, with the Mumbai race cards 27 November promising an action-packed day for punters and racing enthusiasts alike.
The curtain-raiser, The Welcome Trophy, takes place at 02:30 PM over 1200m. It features a brisk dash for contenders from Class IV (Indian Horses rated 20 to 46, with 0 to 19 eligible). Young and improving runners are expected to make bold early statements as they attempt to kick off the day with a striking performance. This race often highlights future handicap prospects, making it a compelling opener.
The second race, The K. J. K. Irani Plate, begins at 03:00 PM and covers 1600m. This mile contest draws a strong field from Class II (rated 60 to 86, with 40 to 59 eligible). Among the key contenders are ULTIMO, guided by jockey R. Ajinkya and trained by P. S. Chouhan; FYNBOS, partnered with P. Trevor under the care of P. Shroff; GIACOMO, ridden by A. Sandesh for trainer Dallas Todywalla; and EMPEROR RODERIC, with C. Umesh in the saddle for trainer Shazaan Shah. The race is likely to develop into a tactical battle, with riders carefully judging pace before unleashing their mounts late, and it traditionally serves as a stepping stone for horses aiming at top-class competition.
At 03:30 PM, The Kiara Plate runs over 1400m for Class III horses (rated 40 to 66, with 20 to 39 eligible). This race demands a perfect blend of acceleration and stamina, and with several evenly matched contenders, the finish could be thrillingly close. The Kiara Plate often rewards consistency and clever placement.
The P. B. Avasia Plate follows at 04:00 PM, covering 1600m and featuring handicappers from Class IV (rated 20 to 46, 0 to 19 eligible). Strategic riding is expected, especially as the field navigates pace changes mid-race. Horses looking to progress at this rating band will use this contest to display maturity and staying power.
The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, scheduled at 04:30 PM offering Rs.10,00,000 over 1200m, brings together elite sprinters from Class I (rated 80 and upward, with 60 to 79 eligible) for a blistering showdown. CREDENCE, guided by Ramswarup and trained by Shazaan Shah, will look to assert early dominance, while MARKET KING, under Antony Raj S. and trainer Imtiaz A. Sait, promises a burst of tactical speed. IT’S MY TIME and IRISH GOLD, both trained by Dallas Todywalla and ridden by P. Trevor and A. Sandesh respectively, bring a combination of sharp acceleration and experience. DIVINE STAR, with N. S. Parmar aboard and Aman Altaf Hussain in the trainer’s corner, and SON OF A GUN, partnered with Mustakim Alam and trained by Narendra Lagad, complete a stellar field poised for an electrifying sprint. Expect pure speed, rapid acceleration, and tactical brilliance as these top contenders battle for prestige.
The finale, The M. D. Petit Plate, starts at 05:00 PM and covers 1000m for older competitors from Class V (horses rated 1 to 26, four years old and over). Despite being a lower-rated contest, such races are known for unpredictability and thrilling finishes. Experience could play a decisive role as seasoned runners attempt to outpace their rivals in the closing contest of the day.
With each race offering its own emotion, rhythm, and competitive edge, RWITC’s Thursday card is perfectly poised to delight racing fans. From emerging talent to established stars, every race has a story waiting to unfold.
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