BTC Shows Scant Respect for Mysore Decisions
By Pearcey

Bangalore. Dec 4, 2007

The Appeal Board of the Bangalore Turf Club met Monday evening to hear an appeal from jockey C Alford against an order of the stewards of the Mysore Race Club, which had suspended his riding license. This order pertained to Alford's riding on Echoes Of Light, wherein he was found guilty of not permitting his horse to run on its merits. As reported earlier, there were riots at the MRC after this race and police had to be summoned.

You may recollect that both jockey Alford and trainer Darius Byramji were suspended by the stewards of the Mysore Race Club. They further recommended that should the two of them apply for fresh licenses on April 1, 2008, the said applications may not be considered till October 31. It must be understood that Mysore races are held under the BTC rules of racing. All their decisions have to be ratified by the stewards at the BTC. Also, it is the same bunch of racing officials who guide the stewards of the two clubs in all race-related matters.

A fortnight ago, both C Alford and D Byramji were produced before the BTC stewards. In that enquiry, the stewards opined that since the jockey was the main culprit, he should be suspended for six months. They further decided that since the trainer was only indirectly involved, his sentence should be reduced to one month suspension for "the unsatisfactory running of his horse". Darius Byramji presumably thought that it was a fair decision and therefore did not prefer an appeal against the order. C Alford went in for an appeal, and as mentioned earlier, was heard yesterday.

The learned Appeal Board considered the evidence that was available. It was finally the Chairman of the Appeal Board who decided that C Alford deserves a suspension of one month only. In other words, the board has matched the punishment of one month suspension, given by the stewards of the BTC to the trainer of the said horse. One could say that it was a balancing act. The only thing is that the charges against the two professionals are totally different.

The above-mentioned issue brings out an interesting point. This is not the first time that this sort of thing has happened. In the last couple of years, most recommendations made by the stewards of the MRC pertaining to disciplinary action have been ignored by the stewards of the BTC. They are either totally disregarded or marginally implemented. For the record, common stipendiary stewards officiate at both the clubs. The only difference is the elected stewards. Is there an intentional campaign at the BTC to show scant respect for the decisions made by the elected body at the MRC? Is it time for MRC to become an independent Turf Authority and conduct its own racing affairs?

These cross currents don’t auger well for clean racing. The professionals become carefree and take chances. It is the poor punter, as always, who suffers at the end.