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This sort of scenario has called for some exemplary vigilance on the part of the authorities in power at this club. The Stewards of The Mysore Race Club had a lengthy meeting last week, during which, they pondered over certain grave matters that had been reported by their Stipendiary Stewards. A careful perusal of the offences and the resultant punishments make for interesting reading. While most of the offences are serious in nature, the one pertaining to action against Champion Trainer Rakesh takes centre-stage. It is reported that the trainer imported a horse called Wild Temper from Western India. After a couple of unplaced efforts, he wanted to capitalize on this runner and started preparing him on the training track. Wanting to hoodwink the track reporters and the punters, he used a saddle cloth with the wrong number. This is a grave offence. Not only does it keep the punters away from Wild Temper, it also sends them on a wild goose chase as they would end up putting money on the horse whose number was being displayed on Wild Temper. The trainer got caught, admitted to his guilt and got suspended till the end of October. This ensures that Rakesh shall be out of action till the end of the Mysore Main Season.
One of the others to get the wrong end of the stick was Santosh Rao. He was reported for neglecting his duties towards the horses in his charge, as he had totally neglected his charge Invincible Hunter. The most serious aspect of this charge was the fact that Santosh Rao had administered medicine to this horse on his own. Photographic evidence substantiating these charges was produced at the enquiry. He was charged under the "Anti-Doping Control" notification issued by the Club. Santosh Rao met the same fate as Rakesh, as he too accepted his guilt and was sent on a holiday till the end of October.
The charge against trainer Mallikarjuna sounded quite amusing. By indulging in such practices, the trainer showed his immaturity. It was reported that he used a leather padding on the hind legs of a horse called Sterlingsnip without taking prior permission of the stipes. He used a cello tape to stick it to the horse's leg and tied a loose bandage over it. The bandage was so loose that it got unfastened in no time. This shows that the said gentleman is quite ignorant about certain aspects of his profession. This whole exercise fetched him unwanted glory, as well as a fine of Rs 10,000.
Trainer Vikram Appachu picked up a fine of Rs 5,000 for using unlicensed riding boys to work his horses on the training track. It is difficult to fathom his intentions, as this is a clear contravention of the rules prevailing at race clubs across the country. Who were these boys and where did they come from?
There were quite a few cases of "In and Out" running during the last couple of months. The most glaring amongst them were the runs of CVGK Kishore's Musical Signature, Sajid Qureshi's Expensive Affair and T Natraj's Dutch Hero. These runners came out and won immediately after having run down the field in their previous starts. The transformation in performances was so glaring, that the trainers were certain to get caught. Kishore and Qureshi were fined Rs 10,000 each, while it was double that amount for Natraj. His case was slightly complicated because Natraj had fancied Dutch Hero on the day that he had came out and won his race.
It is normal to see jockeys Afsar Khan and Suresh getting suspended frequently. Both the boys need to mend their way. It is time for them to realize that they are always being watched, and even a small mistake can cost them a lengthy suspension. They will have to sit out for the next couple of months, as they were reported for "not giving their mounts an opportunity to obtain the best possible result in a race". On the other hand, Ahsan Qureshi picked up a fine for a rare offence. He was caught using a mobile phone prior to a race.
The authorities at MRC are doing a fine job. The situation is not as bad as it sounds. With solid disciplinary measures in place, it is possible to control it. We can only hope that the professionals will realise their responsibilities towards the paying public that funds this wonderful sport.
