A day after the BTC announced the cancellation of racing over the Derby weekend, the Bangalore trainers thought it fit to call for a press meet and explain their stance. After agitating and withdrawing the horses entered for the big weekend, they were left speechless by the decision of the Chairman of the Club to cancel the Derby. Possibly the trainers had not imagined that their tactics would misfire. In the press meet, their demands were released through a note issued and signed by B Puttanna, the President of their association. Our readers would note that these demands are almost the same as those listed by us in the previous article with regard to the cancellation of the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby.
The trainers start by stating that it is the Club which is responsible for cancelling the Derby and not the KTA. The whole world would agree with this statement, because we know that the KTA is not empowered to announce the cancellation of races as listed in the prospectus.
The KTA has three demands, which are broadly listed below for the information of our readers.
1) The KTA wants the BTC to reframe the "Rules Of Racing", and this should be done with the consensus of the KTA and the KROA. They want a written assurance and undertaking from the Club that this shall be completed before the start of the Bangalore Summer Season 2008.
2) The KTA wants the BTC to reframe the "Rules Of Medication", and this should be done with the consensus of the KTA and the KROA. They want a written assurance and undertaking from the Club that this shall be completed before the start of the Bangalore Summer Season 2008.
3) The KTA wants a comprehensive solution along with an assurance that they shall be provided stables for the 2-year olds that are due to arrive in the coming weeks.
The "Rules Of Racing" have been in place for a long time, and it is possible that some of them may be outdated. The onus of changing, altering, adding or deleting from the existing rules lies with the Managing Committees that are elected by the General Body. The BTC Management should decide, once and for all, whether they need the valuable advise of the learned KTA, and inform them accordingly.
The issue about the "Rules Of Medication" has been pending for many years. This is another matter that needs to be addressed by the Club, and whatever the final outcome, the decision should be communicated to them in writing so that there is no ambiguity in the future. BTC has been very firm in its opinion that the trainers suspended for the breach of medication rules shall not be permitted to enter the premises of the Club.
The third point about the stables is an important issue. Owners have gone ahead and bought 2-year olds for racing at the Bangalore Turf Club. These horses are due to start arriving in the next few weeks. Makeshift arrangements are dangerous for the sport because a lot of money is being invested. It is not only a roof over their heads and proper feeding that is required, but medical and security issues have to be addressed. The hundred odd stables knocked down by the local corporation for road widening works has compounded the problem. The Club needs to have a policy similar to other Clubs, wherein the quotas are fixed for all owners and trainers. An owner would go ahead and buy a youngster only when he is sure of housing him in the secure premises of the Club. This cannot be implemented this year, but the BTC can show foresight and plan for tough times that lie ahead. It is not difficult to imagine a situation when the total produce of the stud farms may vastly outnumber the stables available at the race clubs in the country.
The trainers further state that they are ready to resume racing provided the club accedes to the above-mentioned demands. The owners and the regular racegoers want the racing to go on. The fact remains that the KTA has precipitated the matter. The biggest sponsored weekend has been disrupted. The BTC is obviously upset at this turn of events and is not going to relent easily. We can only hope that this matter does not reach a flashpoint, making it progressively difficult for the KTA to retrace its steps.
