In short, the vision is of an informal fashion show with the members' enclosure doubling up as the ramp where pretty young things and pretty mature ones too trot up and down in creations that make heads turn a good 180 degrees. Even the men happily display their collection of horse- inspired ties and tweed jackets.

So if fashionable dressing and horse-racing have become synonymous, pray just what has gone wrong with the season in Pune this time? Where are the stylish cuts and the careful combinations? The perfect perms and the daring slits? And perhaps most importantly the hitherto indispensable ties and coats?

A casual visitor would be taken aback to enter the members' enclosure and find that the dress code that seems to be abounding is more of open collars, half-sleeved shirts and a pair of jeans and T-shirt. Formal is out and casual is in -- like never before.

The changing scenario has come in the wake of the RWITC decision to relax the dress code. The race card issued to the members on the first day of the races (July 15) carried a notice that specified that there are no particular dress regulations for entry into the members' enclosure at the Pune Race Course for the 1999 season. Exceptions, however, have been made for those desirous of entering the paddocks. The dress code is the customary jacket/long-sleeved shirt with tie or scarf/national dress, safari suit and dhoti/kurta. However, since few want to enter the paddocks, the vast majority have hitched onto the casual-look bandwagon. With the trend, according to society watchers, sounding the death knell of a long-cherished custom of formal dressing that added style to the glamorous sport.

``Horse-racing across the world is a social event, both for men and women and thus inextricably linked with good dressing,''states Simone Poonawala, horse owner and a regular at the races, who along with her mother Behroze Poonawala is one of the best turned out women at the course every season. ``It's been called the King of Sports, with the rich and famous being the traditional patrons. So, it was inevitable that fashions and trends in vogue became a part and parcel of the racing world. But this changing now. It's okay to relax the dressing rules and let people come in whatever they are comfortable. But it seems sad that such a custom is being done away with. In the United Kingdom, at the Royal Ascot, you are not allowed to enter the members' enclosure unless you have a hat on -- for both men and women and I think that's fine,'' adds Simone who takes care to dress up for the races, everytime. ``I usually ensure I have a jacket on and am dressed in a way that looks better than ordinary at least.''

Sushila Gugle, fashion designer and wife of race horse owner Anil Gugle too bemoans the trend of slack dressing at the races. ``Things have changed so much. People no longer take the kind of efforts they used to. Now, it seems the racing season is not such a big event. Earlier, they used to stock up their wardrobes in summer for the racing season. Now, anything goes. An ordinary looking man looks better in a jacket and a tie. With this too being done away, a lot of the charm has gone. The ambience of the members' enclosure has changed and horse-racing has become like any other sport -- losing much of its exclusivity and magnetism. Also, dressing up for a race on a Sunday was a much looked-forward-to social event. Now, both men and women are going easy on their attires.''

But what do the men who have been released from tie knots and buttoned up jackets feel. ``It's a relief,'' enthuses Yogesh Jain, horse owner who trips down to Pune from Mumbai every weekend during the racing season. ``The suggestion actually came from members in Mumbai who put forth the argument that they come to Pune during the season in a holiday mood and carrying jackets and ties was a dampner. Many had started to avoid the races because of the strict dress code. Everything is becoming more casual and relaxed. So why not the races?'' he counter-questions adding that by the end of the season in September and October it becomes too hot to be togged up in jackets and ties.

Deven Verma, veteran actor however differs.``I think it takes something away from the members' enclosure I have been frequenting for the past 35 years. With the formal attire, the place had a certain air and ambience about it. Now, it is missing ,'' he opines.And then, there is always that danger of offering an inch and finding that everyone's ready to grab the whole yard. ``Hardly had we relaxed the rule, than we had people sauntering in in shorts and a T-shirt!''reveals Pradyumna Singh, Stipendiary Steward RWITC. Thus, the club had to put up another board debarring the members from following this too casual an attire.

So, though opinions may be divided, there are no two views on the important race days that have traditionally been mega-fashion events, be it Pune and Mumbai. The most casual of dressers put in that wee bit of extra effort on the days that matter, rules or no rules. The fact would in all probability be reiterated this Sunday when at the most looked-forward to event of the season -- the Le Meridian Independence Trophy takes place. The turnout, hopefully, will decide which way the wind is blowing this season- formal or casual. Watch this space.