JOIN USThe Karnataka Trainers Association (KTA), Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association (KROA) and Jockeys Association of India (JAI) have decided to call off their stand-off with the Bangalore Turf Club, paving the way for races to be held this Thursday and Friday.
“Races will take place this Thursday and Friday,” said BTC chairman Harimohan Naidu. “The owners have started to give their entries and by Tuesday afternoon we will get a clear picture on how many horses will be competing.
“We intend to have nine races each on Thursday and Friday. The Bangalore Summer Million, which was supposed to have been held last week, will be the feature event of Thursday’s races while Bangalore City Gold Cup will be the main attraction on Friday.”
KTA, KROA and JAI took the decision after BTC agreed to meet with them this Wednesday, where JAI is expected to discuss three major concerns that has been hampering them for a while.
Three demands
“Our primary concern is BTC’s stipulation that a jockey needs to complete 20 mounts in a year with at least three placings,” said JAI president PS Chouhan. “While it may be an easier task for the top jockeys, it’s not so easy for the average jockey.
“We are okay with the 20 mounts rule but not with the three placings one. We want BTC to lower that number. Another issue that has been troubling us is BTC’s differential standards towards penalising jockeys.
“For the same punishment committed, a top jockey gets away easily while a mediocre one is handed a relatively stronger punishment. We want the quantum of punishment to be uniform. We think that would be a fair system.”
The third issue that will be deliberated upon is suspensions. “When a jockey gets suspended, its very difficult for him to get his licence back from BTC. Say a jockey gets suspended for a certain duration of time, then when that period ends he should automatically get his licence back. Currently, they are made to sweat.”
While stating that the tough measures need to be in place to ensure good, competitive racing, Naidu said the BTC committee is ready to hear their concerns.
“The parties involved can air their concerns. The BTC has always been open to talks. The committee will hear them out and will take a call.”