Syces call temporary truce, racing resumes

It is understood that the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, G Ramesh, in a meeting on Thursday led to the syces’ decision to resume work. The Trainers’ Association had approached the Commisioner’s office requesting for assistance,

“The DCP was involved in the meeting with the syces today and he helped in assuring the syces’ representatives that talks can be held later and that all their demands will be heard,” a source in the KTA said.

“We told them that we will increase their salaries, but what we need is time and with the help of the DCP, we seem to have made some progress.

“There will be further meetings on Monday and Tuesday and hopefully, the issues can be resolved for good,” he added.

The horses due to run on Friday were loaded on Thursday evening, prompting the Mysore Race Club to announce that the races will be conducted as scheduled. Thursday’s races had to be cancelled as the syces refused to transport the horses from Bangalore to Mysore.

“We are very happy right now. All the syces are satisfied,” Krishnachari, syces union leader, said. “Talks went well today and the trainers and the BTC have assured us that our demands will be met.

“We want an increase in salary from Rs 5000 per month to Rs 8000-9000 per month as the cost of living has considerably increased over the past few years. We have been assured that they will look into this and that everything will be done to ensure the syces’ long-term future,” he added.