Now with only six meeting left before the end of the Bangalore summer season, all eyes are on the main Mysore racing season starting next month and the management committee spearheaded by the dynamic chairman G Venkatesh has done well, drawing up plans and designs to attract the best outstation horses from Bangalore and other premier centres and more importantly providing satisfying facilities to the professionals competing at this centre. Apart from the pros at this centre most trainers and owners from Bangalore enjoy racing  their horses in the main season here and taking into account that attractive stakes are offered for all the classic events, the best horses and all the top jockeys willingly don the silks and parade their skills at the Mysore Race Club (MRC). 

Aware of the fact that they need to get quality stock in their effort to get to the next level, the mandarins of the club have granted license to four new trainers and are encouraging the leading trainers and owners at this centre to procure stock which can compete successfully with the horses at the other premier racing centres. 

"We offer good stakes and it will only get better in the months ahead. We have already roped in a sponsor for the blue riband of the season, the Mysore Derby and soon we will finalize the deal for the Indian Turf Invitation Cup sponsorship which we plan to host with all pomp and gaiety on the first Sunday of March next year," said Venkatesh adding that all the committee members are geared up to provide a silver lining to the champion event. 

The chairman revealed that MRC has 520 stables and effort is on to get full occupancy status. "At the moment we have 320 horses stationed in our centre and with a good number of trainers and owners from Madras showing interest we should get to the 400 mark before next year," said Venkatesh. The fact that a couple of senior trainers, Rakesh and Michael Eswar have made a mark winning some of the plums at other centres has provided a shot in-the-arm for the local masters, who now believe that they too can do it and this augurs well for the sport in this royal city. 

Chairman of the  Turf Authorities of India (TAI), Venkatesh when posed with the question on what is the present condition of horses at Jabalpur disclosed that the members of TAI in a meeting in Bangalore on Derby day decided to form a panel consisting of four veterinarians to enquire into the abuse the horses were subjected to and the death of many horses and  present a detailed report to TAI. The vets will also be told to ascertain the conditions of the horses and keep TAI posted on what best can be done in the given situation. 

To another question, asking if MRC had the required men and machinery to successfully host the Champion Of Champions event, Venkatesh shot back: "We did a good job when we hosted it for the first time and after learning the ropes we are better prepared and ready for this racing extravaganza," said Venkatesh.