B R Sharan Kumar

The Karnataka Race Horse Owners Association has said that the directive of the Karnataka government to Bangalore Turf Club to close all its racing operations by December 31, 2009 and shift its base to Mysore till such time an alternative facility is ready as being untenable. The association secretary Arvind Raghavan has said that the whole exercise will be a logistical disaster and that the government should consider the consequences of displacement as a result of racing activity being halted or shifted to Mysore. It is not just those who are directly involved with racing who will be affected by the decision of the government but the effects will be felt on a far bigger scale than imagined as the support industries will face the threat of closure. Stopping an economic activity of the magnitude of racing in Bangalore in times of economic recession will add to the distress already felt on the large scale by various sectors. Apart from over Rs 1,000 crores that racing activity generates i

Forest Flair was a giant among the pygmies in the Gr 3 Deccan Chronicle Juvenile Sprinters Million, the feature event of Sunday’s races but the fact that gold and brown brigade had been firing only blanks these days was the reason why there was less confidence on this achiever from Mumbai. However, Forest Flair proved an exception to the rule as he romped home in great style, leaving the opposition flat footed. Six Shooter who disputed favoritism with Forest Flair, did not live up to the hype and was even nosed out for the runner up spot by Scubario, the low profile challenger from Hyderabad. Forest Flair had finished second to Mumbai’s highest rated three-year old Versaki on two occasions and then gone on to win the Breeders’ Produce Stakes. He had run a fair race in the company of good horses earlier in the season over seven furlongs where despite conceding weight to some good type of horses, he was in contention till the final furlong of the race. The fact that he skipped the Colts

Forest Flair was a giant among the pygmies in the Gr 3 Deccan Chronicle Juvenile Sprinters Million, the feature event of Sunday’s races but the fact that gold and brown brigade had been firing only blanks these days was the reason why there was less confidence on this achiever from Mumbai. However, Forest Flair proved an exception to the rule as he romped home in great style, leaving the opposition flat footed. Six Shooter who disputed favoritism with Forest Flair, did not live up to the hype and was even nosed out for the runner up spot by Scubario, the low profile challenger from Hyderabad. Forest Flair had finished second to Mumbai’s highest rated three-year old Versaki on two occasions and then gone on to win the Breeders’ Produce Stakes. He had run a fair race in the company of good horses earlier in the season over seven furlongs where despite conceding weight to some good type of horses, he was in contention till the final furlong of the race. The fact that he skipped the Colts

Forest Flair would have been given as an outstanding bet if the stable had been at its usual best. Since the Ramaswamy brigade is finding winners hard to come by, Forest Flair, the best performed horse in the fray has to perform at the optimum level to win the Gr 3 Sprinters Million which highlights Sunday’s races. Forest Flair has strong racing form and ran a fair fifth over seven furlongs in his last outing. But that run however was below par because one is inclined to support Six Shooter who showed plenty of class and speed en route to maiden race win. An interesting race is on cards but one which is not considered for purpose of wagering. The horses which appeal for betting consideration are Lunar Lust, Oban and Acridian though the first two choices may not find much favor with most race goers.

The got-abroad Aristos, competing in the Karnataka Sub-Area Cup, the feature event of Saturday’s races can be considered as a safe bet. Aristos has the speed to outrun his rivals over this seven furlong race which has some decent performers in the fray. Reflection of Gold’s chances have been hampered because she has moved into this class without a win and taken a quantum jump because of her performances in the terms races. Though she is expected to run a good ace, the weight may be a stopper. The recommended bets for the day other than Aristos are Polish Patriot whose last win was impressive and he has the pedigree to go far and Frozen Fire who was an impressive third in her last start and can build on that effort.

The unexpected victory of Sprint Star in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes has defied logical explanation say those who are in the sport for long and who are guided by the performance of a horse leading to the race in question. Flukes are definitely part and parcel of the sport and as such, Sprint Star’s victory has to be put in this category. If Sprint Star goes on to repeat his classic success, then the term fluke will then be replaced as the win not being flash in a pan. These are terms used to define upsets and the performance thereafter. There are many who thought that they were sure of Sprint Star’s win without actually giving the reasons for their belief. In racing one can be right however illogical he may be just like a non functioning clock gives correct timing twice daily! While one has to disregard those who refuse to accept that Sprint Star’s win was not upset, Ravi Gowande who believes in the astrological factors influencing the destiny of horses, has an interesting reason why

Sprint Star’s upset win in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes on Sunday is something which defies any logical explanation. Though Satish Narredu bravely said after the post race interview that he was very confident of his ward’s chances in the second classic of the season, everyone including the trainer himself knows that what he said was far from truth and he was speaking from hindsight. If he sincerely believed that his horse could win, then one has to put Satish Narredu in the most optimistic category of people who believe impossible always conveys the reverse meaning. All said and done, Sprint Star’s unexpected win is one of the biggest upsets in the history of this race at least since the time I have been chronicling the sport. If you want to make an ass of yourself you just have to issue an unqualified statement about a race horse. The horse will take it from there goes the old adage about racing and race horses. Time and again, we have seen horses which get left in or entered in the fr

D’Artagnan has found Aboline a tricky customer in the past. Aboline’s initial speed has been the undoing of many of his opponents who have failed to pace with the progeny of Burden of Proof. Since Aboline is essaying the mile long trip, there is hope for others in the fray to catch up with him. If Aboline runs the way he has been running over shorter trips, no body can beat him. However, D’Artagnan has been blazing the track and if he reproduces the same brilliance on the race track, he can pull it off. The mile long trip is always proved a difficult transition to make for the sprinting types. As such, D’Artagnan deserves support if only because of the extended trip and the blazing track work. Spearhead should be right there at the finish. In the other races, I prefer Aquitaine, Dante’s Peak and Lady Duff. The last named shapes as the best betting proposition.

Pesi Shroff trained Diego Rivera’s ridiculously easy win in the Gr 3 Chief Justice’s Cup, a rich terms race for four-year olds and over, which highlighted the races held on Saturday was in conformity with the run of expectations. Jockey Malesh Narredu complimented the brilliance of the horse with a splendid ride, exploiting the amazing turn of foot of the favourite by conserving the horse into the straight and letting the progeny of Diffident to stretch out along a beautiful opening on the rails. With Splendid Surprise putting in a below par performance, there was no horse in the fray which could stretch the favourite as the only other horse expected to figure at the finish, the temperamental Southern Charge becoming a non-starter as he jumped out sluggishly from the gates and dislodged jockey Wayne Smith. Diego Rivera had won a mile long race earlier in the season at the expense of multi-classic winner Icebreaker. Saturday’s field was not so imposing except for the presence of accompl

Saturday’s Bangalore cad (June 20) appears very competitive. In every race, you can spot at least two horses which are closely matched. However, some horses do stand out and if the intent is right, you can back these horses with conviction. To me, Timeless Treasure is the day’s outstanding betting proposition. Timeless Treasure lost narrowly to Firezone in the winter season and jockey Chris Hayes’ riding was the subject matter of an enquiry. Subsequent to that, Timeless Treasure went on to win a race over a mile and quarter trip. Since then he has run in good company and has run fair races without coming close to winning. However, in the handicap race that he is entered, he looks a cut above the rest and he should not lose if given reasonable assistance by jockey Md Shafiq. He has plenty of scope for movement on the handicap scales. Jamaican Bolt is another who merits some attention despite being assigned to a jockey who wins a race once in a blue moon. Two horses belonging to trainer

Dr K M Srinivasa Gowda is the face of Bangalore Turf Club’s campaign to persuade the government to extend the lease beyond December 31, 2009. BTC is expected to vacate its premises and move its operations to Mysore till such time the new infrastructure comes up. Dr Gowda spoke about his apprehensions, the economic ruin that the government’s move will wreak on the racing industry in India and the displacement of thousands of families dependent on racing for livelihood in an interview with DNA Excerpts: Why is Chief Minister Yeddyurappa so adamant about shifting the race course? Is he against racing? The Chief Minister has said that he is not against racing and said racing activities can be relocated to Mysore till such time the new race course is built. He is prepared to extend all help in this regard. However he is adamant and does not want to hear about the economic ramifications and displacement the immediate shifting is going to have on the racing industry. He says that he has a vis

The worst fears have come true. Chief Minister Yeddyurappa categorically told the representatives of the Bangalore Turf Club on Thursday that they have to vacate the premises by December 31 as per the lease agreement and the issue was not negotiable. At a meeting with the representatives of Bangalore Turf Club and Mysore Race Club, he asked BTC to conduct its racing at Mysore during the period it takes to build a new race course at the land that is proposed to be allotted by the government. He also instructed the Mysore Race Club authorities to cooperate. MRC Chairman N V Babu has said that his club will cooperate. However, there are several contentious issues that need to be resolved. In order to facilitate smooth transition, the Chief Minister has also extended two per cent tax concession to Mysore Race Club and allotted about 30 acres of land near Lalith Mahal Palace Hotel to build new stables to accommodate the influx of horses from Bangalore. The turnover tax on betting conducted

The Government of Karnataka has been very keen to shift the Bangalore race course at any cost at the end of this year. The government is not in a mood to grant any more extension as the club has failed to react to government’s offer of new land several times in the past. Racing is under threat in Bangalore which is bound to have its repercussions all over the country as clubs are dependent on of-course betting for their survival. The damage will be all pervasive and it will have far reaching consequences on horse and breeding industry. Racing does not enjoy high public esteem and as such, the government move which threatens the very survival of the sport, has not got any public reaction. The Chief Minister has promised a huge public park in place of the existing race course. Only those who are concerned about racing are a worried lot. The Bangalore Turf Club has let down everyone concerned. There is anger against the way the club is run. The membership of the club is not open to anyone

Racing in Bangalore has been threatened by the insistence on the part of the Karnataka government that BTC should shift even though no alternative facility is in place. The BTC in the past refused to budge from its stand of not shifting and lost golden opportunities to get a big chunk of land close to the city. Now their stand is diluted but they are finding it hard to obtain land from the government as the land around Bangalore has become precious and it is difficult for the government to identify a big chunk of land suitable for racing. The land has to be suitable for racing in terms of the extent of the land as also the distance from the city. The club also does not have the reserves to build a new infrastructure. The BTC has let down the sport badly by not being pro-active to the emerging situation and time is fast running out on them. It is in this scenario that Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association should step in and take an active role in solving the crisis. While it is for the

The form of the Gr 1 Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million held well albeit with a minor change in the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes, the first classic of the summer season on Sunday (June 14). Jacqueline, who had finished a neck behind Gypsy Magic in Veraski’s win, reversed that verdict with a decisive win. The got abroad filly received a perfect ride from Malesh Narredu who brought the second favourite on the wide outside with a terrific burst of speed in the final furlong to go clear and win from Gypsy Magic. While Gypsy Magic’s defeat could be attributed partly to her being ring rusty as she was asked the difficult job of winning the classic without the benefit of a race run, jockey Wayne Smith too seemed overawed with the onerous task of driving through the crowded field that he made a series of errors that all played its role in the defeat of the favourite. Jacqueline had proved her credentials in the two runs that she figured at Mumbai. Trainer Pesi Shroff had always spoken highly of

Gypsy Magic is no doubt attempting a difficult task of trying to win the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes, the first classic of the summer Season on Sunday (June14) without the benefit of a race run. She also does not have the benefit of a mock race. Gypsy Magic was not originally expected to run in the race as evidenced by the fact that she was entered in a mile long race last week which went void. Though she is short of a run, she is definitely not short on preparation. Gypsy Magic is a full sister to Derby winner Smart Chieftain, Classical Act and Southern Empire. Interestingly, not a single sister of these celebrated horses has won a classic as the fillies have proved to be temperamental and lacking in class. Though Gypsy Magic is temperamental, she has been systematically prepared to focus on racing and it wont’ come as a surprise if she wins the classic in style. Captivating who was remained unbeaten on this track will prove a tough customer as she will love the cut in the ground. It ra

Fire Zone is competing in the highest category in Saturday’s Bangalore races (June 13) for the first time after two encouraging wins in the lower class. The son of Glory of Dancer showed encouraging class in his wins which saw him being campaigned ambitiously in the Indian 2000 Guineas. Though he did not do well, the experience will stand him in good stead when he takes on a competitive field in the 1400 metres Civil Services Cup. Fire Zone might have been out of depth on that occasion but there is no denying the fact that he is a good handicapper. His mock race was encouraging. Though he is taking on seasoned and well performed Einstein, the fact remains that Fire Zone is yet to his reach his handicap mark. Since Fire Zone can be stretched to do better and the fact that he is well placed in scales, encourages one to nominate Fire Zone ahead of the rest. Spark of Gold, who has been a rousing performer, is sure to add pep at the finish. Man United has been entrusted to a jockey with a g

Indian racing got a big boost when the proud son of Noverre, Le Havre gave trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and jockey Christophe Lemaire a second Classic success of the season when bursting through late on to win to win the Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1) at Chantilly on Sunday. The French Derby success of Le Havre has indeed come as a great piece of news for India as Noverre is currently standing at North India based Sohna Stud Farm as a stallion. Le Havre’s Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club victory was the centerpiece of a sensational four-timer for his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget at yesterday’s Chantilly meeting, as he and jockey Christophe Lemaire captured all of the day’s three Group races. Unlike at Epsom, there was no repeat Classic winner, with favourite Silver Frost (Verglas), hero of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, only sixth after failing to stay the trip. Le Havre was two lengths second in the Longchamp colts’ Classic and he powered home to deny the Head family’s Fuisse (Green Tune) by a le

The Southern Regent Trophy is the most interesting race of Saturday’s (June 6) Bangalore races. The race has no clear cut favourite though bookmakers will be tempted to make the well bred Bruckner who is by the Derby winning mare Allies Serenade as the favourite. Bruckner had finished third in his only outing at Mumbai without giving glimpse of what he is capable of. He has had the benefit of a mock race in the company of a much superior owner mate Jacqueline. Bruckner appears to have made improvement but is he a good thing? The answer is a clear no because the race has attracted some good quality horses. If one were to by the evidence of race form alone, Fleet Indian who ran a fair race in the company of Aboline and D’Artagnan in winter should be the obvious first choice. The progeny of Tejano had shown plenty of promise in the runs preceding his unplaced effort in the company of elite horses. I am inclined to go with Fleet Indian. Systematic came from nowhere to finish second to Rugg

We are just a fortnight away from the first classic of the Bangalore Summer Season, the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes. Quiet a few good quality horses have served notice of their potential in the period that the summer season took off to now. All horses which are likely to run in the premier event have had their preparatory runs. The Kunigal Stud Farm appears to be firing on all cylinders. They have a strong contender in Captivating who is a winner of four races. The speedy daughter of Burden of Proof relishes the mile long trip very well. She is in pink of condition and anyone hoping to win the classic, will have to first go past her. The got-abroad filly Astral Flash, also owned by Dr Vijay Mallya, but trained by Pesi Shroff, has shown great improvement since her arrival from Mumbai. Astral Flash had beaten Captivating by a whisker at Mumbai but the latter was at that time victim of a bad ride. There is no doubt that Astral Flash is an improving time and has taken to local conditions ver