The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : Impasse continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 16, 2004

Sport

Sport - Racing : Horse

Impasse continues

BANGALORE, JULY 15. The Medication Rules imbroglio between the Bangalore Turf Club and the Karnataka Trainers Association coursed through several curious twists and turns today, keeping the racing fraternity on its edge. On a day of high drama and several interesting parleys, the trainers duly scratched out all horses from the Week-end racing programme except the St. Leger at the stroke of 10.00 a.m. this morning even as the BTC sent back a written reply to the issues the KTA had raised on its demands pertaining to the modificiation of the Medication Rules.

In a bid to save the day, the BTC postponed the Acceptances, first to 6.00 p.m. today and then to 10.00 a.m. on Friday. The starting declarations for Saturday has been put off to 3.00 p.m. tomorrow. The Week-end's racing's is technically off as it stands now since there are absolutely no runners. Off course, the BTC has created some room and time for the trainers by keeping the scratchings box open till 10.00 a.m on Friday to "Get Fresh" and set racing in order.

In its written communication to the KTA this afternoon, the BTC reaffirmed its stand to make class IV and V drug offences punishable with only fines but it categorically rejected the idea of allowing trainers entry to the race course during their suspension period. It also stuck to its stand on random testing while assuring the trainers that the question of reporting levels could only be dealt with after the Paris Convention. The KTA in its reply felt that the BTC had not addressed the issues raised by it to the association's satisfaction.

The trainers let the second deadline for scratchings at 6.00 p.m also pass by. The trainers say the ball is in the BTC court but the Club maintains that it has already been played back to them. The Stand off has aroused anxiety in racing circles and the disruption of this week-end's racing looks a real prospect if the issue is not resolved latest by tonight.

It is reliably learnt that two influential Owners have taken the initiative to defuse the situation. In a significant development, the trainers were invited to a meeting late this evening by the Chairman of the BTC, Harindra Shetty. Unless something tangible pops out of this meeting, the issue is unlikely to dissolve itself into an amicable settlement.

The Trainers have repeatedly said that they would not act on oral assurances this time which in effect means that any conciliatory move on the part of the BTC has to be in writing.— Our Special Correspondent

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