The Calcutta Monsoon Season 2010 kicks off on Friday (July 9) with quite a few amendments to improve the standard of racing at this centre. The season comprises of 23 race days of which 6 will be on weekends. It will stretch over three months and conclude on Wednesday, October 13. One hundred and forty races are slated to be run during this period. The total prize money on offer during the season is Rs 434.605 lakh. In addition, trophies worth Rs 4.21 lakh will be presented to the winning owners of 38 Cup races.

Twenty three “A” and 8 “B” licensed jockeys and 17 Apprentices are expected to don the silks during this season. Nineteen “A” and six “B” Trainers have so far been licensed. Four hundred and one horses out of a total strength of 529 horses will participate during the monsoon meet. The horse strength is expected to increase as the season progresses.

As it has been observed over the past few years, the average weight of jockeys has been rising. It is also observed that an effort to reduce their weight either by excessive sweating or by diuretic usage worsens the physical condition and strength of jockeys. In the light of the above facts it has been decided to increase the minimum weight to 50 kg under R.C.T.C. Rules of racing from the ensuing Calcutta Monsoon Meeting 2010. This will result in weights of all horses in a handicap race going up by 3 kg.

For example, in a race for horses rated 00 to 30, weights will range from 50 kg to 65 kg as compared to the present scale of 47 kg to 62 kg. As the scale of 50 to 65 is beyond the range of galloping weight, it has been decided to restructure the Rating Scale in all races by reducing the existing difference of 30 points (15 kg) to 25 points (12.5 kg). Consequently, the Rating Scale would be restructured as under:

It may be observed from the above table that the overlap between any two consecutive classes will come down from 10 points (5.0 kg) to 5 points (2.5 kg) in future.

The above restructuring is expected to :

(a)      Facilitate the owners and trainers to secure jockeys of their choice for their horses without incurring overweights especially in respect of bottom weights.
(b)     Benefit jockeys in avoiding exhaustion due to over-exercising and starving thereby helping them maintain better physique.
(c)     Make it easier for the apprentice jockeys to claim the entitled allowance to the maximum extent possible.

From this monsoon, Indian jockeys or any apprentice who shall have been granted permission to ride in races shall be entitled to claim in any handicap flat race run at any meeting an allowance on the following scale :-

If he has not ridden ten Winners - 4 kgs

If he has ridden 10 winners but has not ridden 20 winners - 3 kgs

If he has ridden 20 winners but has not ridden 30 winners - 2 kgs

If he has ridden 30 winners but has not ridden 40 winners - 1 kg

After riding 40 winners or attaining the age of 25 years whichever is earlier, they are not entitled to claim any allowance.

If a rider intends to carry overweight, he must declare the amount thereof at the time of weighing out, or, if in doubt as to his proper weight, he may declare the weight he intends to carry. Provided, however, that he shall not carry more than 2 kg overweight except with the prior written permission of the Stewards.

When weighing out or weighing in, the following pieces of equipment shall be excluded from the weight :- “Helmet/Skull Cap, Whip, Bridle, Plates, Number Cloth, anything worn on horse’s legs, Breast Plates, Muzzle, Horse’s head gear, Rings, Neck Strap, Breast Girth & Martingale”.

The track has been newly laid and riders are bound to enjoy their work at this centre.

Important Race Days
The following are the details of some of the Classic/Graded and Sweepstakes races that will be run during this Meeting.

* “B” Licensed Trainers
The following is the Class-wise distribution of horses as of this day