Finally after a long deliberation, the Bengaluru trainers and owners have decided to race their horses in the Mysore season. And this augurs well for the sport, taking into account that clean and competitive racing generates maximum interest and excitement among the railbirds and pros, looking to make a mark against the best in the game.

The Bengaluru trainers skipped the first three days and threatened to boycott the season, pointing out that the new committee of the Mysore Race Club (MRC) spearheaded by chairman, Y B Ganesh had introduced a couple of new conditions which put the brakes on their travel and participation. A couple of senior trainers revealed that the travel subsidy offered in the past for transportation of Bengaluru horses to compete at Mysuru was scrapped and the Mysuru handicapper  Dr. M R Jagannath had heavily penalised the Bengaluru horses, "Some of the horses got 8 to 10 points and this was not fair," said one of the leading trainers, while pointing out that MRC is facing stabling issues and the club at the start of the season was not in a position to offer 40-50 stables for the Bengaluru horses.

MRC chairman Ganesh responding to the issues raised by the neighbouring club said: "We have increased the stakes and the onus is on the outstation horses to compete and win the big purse on offer in each race. We can't be offering big stakes and providing free travel too," said Ganesh adding that MRC is ready with 35 new stables and 15-20 more are reserved for Bengaluru horses. Ganesh made it clear that his committee had worked  out all the logistics and the club was ready to provide all the desired facilities to the visiting men and horses.

"It is true that MRC was ready with 35 new stables and not as projected by a few Bengaluru trainers who not impressed with no travel subsidy just didn't want to take their horses to Mysuru. But after the members of the Karnataka Racehorse Owners' Association (KROA) initiated dialogue and MRC readily agreed to find solutions, a sporting and healthy discussion on Tuesday cleared the decks and the Bengaluru trainers and owners  decided to compete at the royal venue, more than 40 horses likely to participate in  the two-day week-end. .

Bengaluru trainer Faraz Arshad disclosed that MRC agreed to pay half travel subsidy, which we agreed upon and the hosts have made it clear that all horses, be it any number will be provided stables on their visit. On the big handicapping issue, Faraz pointed out that the MRC handicapper had agreed to review after evaluating the performances of the horses in their first couple of efforts. The Bengaluru trainers understanding that they cannot have it all, agreed to race their horses and that settled the dispute, while putting the horses on the high road.

"Well with both sides understanding that the sport is the King and that the show must go on, we quickly provided solutions and hopefully the racing buffs will enjoy a competitive season, most top horses parading thier skills in all major events and the three classics," said Ganesh.