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However, this by itself would not be enough to cripple racing. The major problem Indian racing faces today is one of image. Put simply, the sport lacks the degree of credibility and exposure required to attract broad-based interest in it. As a result, it has become a niche player, one that provides amusement to a small minority, while the world passes it by. In order to restore horse racing in India to the pinnacle of public esteem, it will be necessary to take certain steps, many of which may not be palatable to vested interests. That, however, is no reason not to "bite the bullet". Reform is always painful, but it must be remembered that without treatment, the patient can die! Certainly, the turf clubs face a grim situation today. It may become even grimmer without undertaking the reforms required to tackle the sport’s deep-seated problems. A good start would be to shake off the imperial mindset! The classification system, the dress restrictions, the very procedural conduct of racing, all remind one uncomfortably of colonial rule. Two of the clubs in India continue to use the word "Royal" in their very names, fully 54 years after the country became independent of the Crown. Surely such nomenclature conveys the image of organizations that are out of touch with reality and aloof from the public. The next item on the agenda would be to eliminate the numerous revenue loopholes, which elected committee members would not tolerate in their own businesses! These leakages need to be plugged. Whether it be the case of entrance to the enclosures (many sneak in free), or recording of bets (illegal wagering is the biggest cancer on the Indian Turf) or realization of racing or sponsorship dues (defaulters are many), there does not seem to be too much appreciation of the need to tighten up fiscal control on monies, many of which are ephemeral in nature, and would otherwise slip away. Racing programmes The daily rituals on race days need to be conducted like a tight ship, with clockwork precision. Right now, there are too many weaknesses inherent in the entire system, right from the planning stage, through entry, handicapping, accounting, announcements, adherence to timings, etc., not to mention in the actual conduct of racing. The Indian racing programmes, with their emphasis on handicaps, make in-and-out running an attractive proposition. There has never been any conviction behind attempts at overhauling the system, barring the Hyderabad Race Club’s innovative Category System. But even that club bowed before "populism" by introducing a "Category IV" for mediocre horses, a most retrograde step. It’s time a comprehensive revamp of the nationwide programme, involving amongst other things, the introduction of "claiming races" for greater liquidity, is undertaken. Although the Indian Thoroughbred breed is the same, handicapping at different centres follows different norms. This is incomprehensible. Surely handicappers should not be receiving "guidelines" on how to handicap! This would be clearly contrary to the published Rules of Racing, which unambiguously define a handicap as "a race in which the weights to be carried are adjusted by the Handicapper for the purpose of equalizing their chances of winning". Therefore, the only yardstick to be used is whether the altered weight assignments after a race have achieved this objective or failed to do so. Note that the question of "penalizing" -- a term too loosely used these days -- does not enter the picture at all. And can one imagine how absurd it appears to potential foreign purchasers of our bloodstock to find that there are three different systems of rating of racehorses, all of which are members of the same indigenous breed! |
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Modern technology needs to be harnessed effectively on the Indian Turf. The sluggish introduction of computerized Totes meant that a substantial chunk of wagering funds was lost during those years between availability of the equipment and its actual deployment at the different turf clubs. Now that these are in place all over the country, there is a pressing need for introduction of smart cards, wireless mobile Tote terminals, multi-function displays, etc., for wagering, as are in use elsewhere on the globe. Several other examples can be adduced where technology can assist. Every turf club needs to have an active website, where it must be possible for dynamic interaction e.g. it should be possible to make entries for races by e-mail. Like in Japan, horses need to have microchips embedded subcutaneously to enable identification. Their track work can be monitored accurately at every pole by simply using photocell-based readers, linked to a computer. Punishments Punishments for offenders – particularly repeat offenders -- are currently quite inadequate to be correctional in nature. Only more stringent action will persuade the public that racing is clean and that results are a fair reflection of merit. Every so often, unsatisfactory explanations from trainers and riders result in fines of Rs.1,000. Can this be a deterrent? One may look East for an example – in Malaysia, two jockeys were suspended for 18 months each for being in possession of mobile phones in the jockeys’ room. Under MRA rules, more or less the minimum sentence for not allowing a horse to run on its merits is one year. There is a crying need to be vigilant in these harsh times. Movement restrictions Restrictions on free movement of horses are as outmoded as visas in the European Union. They need to be scrapped forthwith for healthy competition. Let reputations be gained on merit and not under false pretences and illusions. Horses need to be shipped wherever there are winning opportunities. After all, the presence of visitors heightens public interest. On the one hand, we want our Saddle Ups to race abroad and earn foreign exchange and glory for the country. On the other, we do not want our own owners to recover their heavy investments by travelling within in India for suitable opportunities. This is ludicrous! Conclusion When image is a problem, the arenas of public relations and transparency need strengthening. This is irrespective of whether it involves club members, potential racegoers or Government (regarding taxation, incentives and other matters). Some marketing initiatives, such as addition of stakes to pools, have proved beneficial. Others, like free distribution of caps or T-shirts, radio advertisements, sponsored TV programmes, etc., are needed to convey the image of racing as fun and a pleasurable experience. Finally, perhaps the greatest contribution to the clubs’ revenues can come from an increase in Tote turnover. An integrated national Tote network, with terminals across the length and breadth of the nation is needed to boost turnover. If France can have 80,000 terminals, why can there not be 800,000 in India? If hectic lobbying is required with the Government for this purpose – which will benefit likewise -- then that surely is the need of the hour. |
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