Horse racing will shift from Pune to Mahalaxmi, Mumbai on February 28. And the good news is that unlike Pune, where racegoers missed the live-action due to the restrictions imposed by the government in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, about 600 spectators will be allowed to attend the live races.

The decision of the state government was conveyed on Wednesday by Shrirang Gholap, director (I/C), Disaster Management Unit, of the government of Maharashtra to Zavaray Poonawalla, chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) in a communication, in response to the letter written by the latter to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray last month, seeking permission for the same. The RWITC, however, will have to strictly follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) like physical distancing, mandatory masks and availability of sanitizers.