Another day without the bookmakers and the racing buffs at this centre are not happy. They contend that the managing committee of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) cannot deprive them the option to choose before they place their bet either at the tote or the bookmaker. The punters also point out that the dividends at the tote on the favourites are far below than what is offered by the bookies and that by keeping the bookies out, BTC is only short-changing the railbirds.

 It is no secret that a sizeable number of bookies are operating from their many hide-outs and most big bettors are placing bets only with their bookies. And the moment one announces the odds and points out the difference, the rest stop making their investments particularly on the favourites realising that the difference is big and making an investment in this scenario is only a foolish exercise.

The Sulaiman schooled Sans Escale was the prime favourite in the Dharwar Plate run over a sprint. The public choice in the hands of leading pro Trevor Patel made every post a winning one without unduly extending herself. It is learnt that the winner was easily available at (16/10) with the bookies doing `Dhanda’ outside while it paid only Rs 22 for a tenner at the tote.

Next in line was the Arjun Manglorkar-trained Ayrton, the winner and the top favourite in the upper division of the Hoysala Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The public choice despite not gaining a favourable position early on in the event produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to snuff out the challenge of Super Success and score in style. Ayrton was offered at (7/4) and at the tote it paid a measly dividend of Rs 19 which is almost half the amount of what the bookies offered and paid out. This is sad from the punters point of view.  And in the days ahead it will hit BTC tote hard, more and more punters shifting to bookies outside. The BTC must also understand that a lot of small illegal bookies have surfaced readily accepting small bets and this should be stopped. And to do that the licenced bookies need to be roped in to start operations and that will not only help check the many illegal operators but will also bring back the revenue the club generates from the bookies.

Now coming to racing, the lower division of the Hoysala Trophy produced a shock result, the 15 to one shot Native Elements coming up tops in the hands of Suraj Narredu. The topweighted Mystic Music from trainer Arjun’s yard and the impressive last start winner Majestic Style from the stables of Arvind Ganapathy garnered the maximum support in this event but both to the big disappointment of their supporters failed to make the frame. Mariko who in fact had finished second behind Majestic Style in her last effort again gained the runner-up berth ahead of Back Of Beyond while Amazing Redd took the fourth spot.

The plum event, the Ashoka Chakra Cup was at the mercy of Azzurro from the stables of Sulaiman who registered a fine treble. The public rage provided Trevor an arm-chair ride to success. Blazing Touch edged out Let The Lion Roar for the second place.

Sulaiman had earlier led in the lesser fancied Zafran who produced a winning gallop in the hands of Scottish pro David Allan to peg back the belated effort of the top fancy Six Degrees in the Kentucky Plate run over a sprint. Grecian Light finished a suggestive third and it will pay to follow this Irfan ward when  saddled next.

The Gregory Sandhu-trained Ravelnation was fancied most in the lower division of the Red Baron Plate but the public choice performed like a dud never raising a hope. The well supported My Transcripts from Neil Darashah’s yard provided the French pro Cedric Segeon his maiden success winning with a degree of comfort from Attractive Bay and Goodwill Warrior. Wild Wild Angels was not seriously in the hunt and it will pay to keep an eye on this Prithviraj ward in the weeks ahead.

Neil struck again through the eight to one shot Hostess who edged out rakoutsider Afore after a ding-dong battle in the final furlong. Steyn partnered the winner in the seven furlongs trip. Amazing Skill from Satish Narredu’s yard, who was odds-on favourite in the event, after leading the field into the straight shot his bolt and eventually finished in the ruck.

The Faraz Arshad-trained New Era won the opening event, the Planetarium Plate in a common canter. The winner, it is needless to mention will be heavily penalised but on present form he is capable of defying it to register an encore.