Bitten by the bug,  the decision makers of the  Royal Western India Turf Club are unable  to detect and clean out the virus from the system.  It is not so much the lack of effort from the men calling the shots, but it is the different treatment  administered  to  counter the same virus  is what is being questioned.  One is happy with the feed while the other is left to bleed  is certainly not  what  the doctor has ordered.  The idea is to seek a definite cure and not provide a  timely relief  and until this  is done without any fear or favour  it will be hard to clean out the vicarious  virus  who has proved a big liability to the club.

To the credit of the club, it must be mentioned that the men in charge in their effort to maintain the top status of the premier racing centre have made every effort to play by the rules, but it is the lack of consistency while enforcing  the rules which has raised  many eye brows and questions on credibility are  now getting increasingly difficult to  answer.

The Bullseye  and  Mahakaushal case  is still a hot topic of discussion in most stands  and  now early in the season, the security and the Sandesh suspension issue  followed by the jockeys protest  against the lack of facilities for lesser lights  to stay inside the racecourse premises has pushed the club back against the wall.  The premier racing club to say the least  has its hands full and it will be interesting to know how the club will deal with these new problems which could well snowball into a big issue if the authorities  don’t provide fair and correct solutions.

In the two dope cases, the  club vindicated  Pesi Shroff’s  stand that they cannot suspend any professional without  applying thought on vicarious responsibility. Bullseye  tested positive for Boldenone on arrival  after her journey from the Nanoli Stud Farm. The trainer was handed a  nine- month  suspension before Shroff  decided to contest the punishment  making it clear that he will not swallow the bitter pill.  The champion trainer  contended that it was sabotage to malign his image.  And after a  bitter battle  the Stewards revoked the nine-month suspension and fined the trainer Rs one lakh.  Not impressed Pesi has appealed against the fine imposed and this is pending adjudication.

In the similar Mahakaushal’s case the Stewards let off trainer Subhag Singh with a  Rs 25,000 fine after his horse Mahakaushal  tested positive for Boldenone coming from Kolkata.  When questioned about the different measures adopted for two similar offences, the Stewards pointed out that the club at first had only served a nine-month suspension to Pesi as against the two years mandate by the Turf Authorities of India. But this reasoning too failed to impress most professionals and the racing buffs who pointed that it is the lack of consistency while enforcing rules which is hurting the club.  

How did and how can the  stipes  advocate that  Subhag Singh should be let off contending that  he had no role to play as the horse was not under his charge and that the animal had arrived from Kolkata.  Well if that is the point then how the same stipes recommended severe suspension on Pesi Shroff defies logic. And that is the reason why Pesi feels that he has been made a victim of faction fighting and every railbird supports and acknowledges his stand and belief.

Now coming to the security issue, it is understandable that it is hard to contain a mob with violent intent but not enough security provided to pros in such circumstances is what is being questioned apart from the hurried decision of the stewards to suspend Sandesh pending inquiry to satisfy the protestors. These action by the Authority will only send the wrong signals and it could well become a pattern to disturb racing.