A delegation of the Stewards of the Bangalore Turf Club led by its Chairman V Harimohan Naidu met the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Yeddyurappa at an official meeting on Monday. The meeting was held in connection with the move of the Government of Karnataka to relocate racing activities of the BTC to another location. Our readers may remember that earlier this year the CM had announced a move to take over the present premises by refusing to grant an extension to the present lease, that is due to expire at the end of the year. The CM had also initiated moves to allot a piece of land at Chikkajala on the road to the new International Airport. A request from the Club to grant tax moratorium for seven years was also being considered favourably. But a request by the BTC to continue at its present location till the new facility is ready for racing wasn't finding acceptance with the Government. The Karnataka Racehorse Owner's Association initiated a move to take legal action to safeguard the interests of its members. They were joined by the Trainers, Jockeys and Syces and the group was set to move the local courts in the next few days. A letter from the Bangalore Corporation asking the BTC to vacate its premises on 31st December, 2009 received late last week added to the turmoil. An initiative to resolve this issue with the CM was imperative, and the said meeting on Monday turned out to be extremely productive. According to V Harimohan Naidu, Chairman BTC, the meeting was held in cordial circumstances. The CM was quite receptive to various suggestions and affirmed his confidence in the sport of Horse Racing. While insisting that the Club must move out of the present premises, he assured the delegation that racing activities will be allowed to continue unhindered till the new race track at Chikkajala is ready. He asked the Government Officials present at the meeting to facilitate handing over of the land at an early date. The Club has been asked to send the prospectus of the Winter Season 2009-10 to the concerned department for approval. An acceptance of this prospectus would automatically mean an extension of time. The CM said that the first extension shall be for six months, till June 30, 2010, by which time the Club must take concrete steps to commence work on the new facility. Once the Government is satisfied with the progress, a mutually acceptable time frame for the final move shall be announced. The racing fraternity all over the country welcomed this news with a huge sigh of relief. The BTC was quick to announce an initiative to commence construction of another hundred odd stables at its present location to solve its immediate problems. Work on the Winter Prospectus was announced and there was a new vigour and energy noticeable at The Bangalore Turf Club.