A welcome wetting on Tuesday and the race course beginning to hum with activities have heralded the busy period of the tourist season in this hill station.
Tourist inflow
The inflow of tourists particularly on weekends has increased considerably. Though usually there is a steady influx of tourists from the first week of March every year, the first day of the Ooty racing season is conventionally considered the beginning of the non-stop flow of visitors.
For long, horse races in the fifty-five acre high altitude race course have been a major attraction for all classes of tourists.
Stating that it would be the 124th racing season, the Steward and Committee Member, Madras Race Club (MRC) A.Vishwanathan told The Hindu that it would commence on April 14.
Showers
Pointing out that the stage was set and all arrangements have been put in place, he said that the showers had made the underfoot conditions ideal for racing.
Competitive season
Expressing confidence that the season will be competitive, he said that there will be 28 meetings.
Stating that the season will conclude on June 19, Mr. Vishwanathan said that on all the days racing would be conducted in the morning.
Adverting to the main events, he said that the prestigious race for the Nilgiris Gold Cup will be run on May 23.
While the Nilgiris 1000 Guineas Grade III will be run on April 24, the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas Grade II will be held on April 28 and the Nilgiris Derby Stakes Grade I will be run on May 9.
About 475 horses were likely to take part. Fifteen trainers and 40 jockeys will vie for honours.
Enclosure
A covered enclosure for exercising horses during rains has been put up inside the course.
It was the first of its kind in the country.
With this hill station being unbearably hot (by local standards) for the past several days the local people are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that it will receive a few more good showers.
Since the success or failure of the season depends to a significant extent on the condition of the tourist spots maintained by the Department of Horticulture, its officials greeted the rains with cheer.
Flowering
Stating that Tuesday's rain had been useful to the lawns and helped soak the beds, the Assistant Director of Horticulture M. Prakasam said that a couple of more showers would facilitate excellent flowering by the fourth week of April.
