At the back of the mind, the fear had set in that the Glanders disease could touch Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) after it surfaced in Hyderabad. It happened. Five horses, two from the stables of Irfan Ghatala, two from Dominic's yard and one under the care of Rajesh Narredu have tested positive for glanders. The tests conducted at the laboratory in the government veterinary hospital in Hebbal confirmed that the five horses suffered from glanders, while informing the club that a second sample should be quickly sent to National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), a premier institute for equine health in Hisar (Haryana). NRCE is the only laboratory in South Asia designated to investigate glanders disease and samples are mandatorily sent here for confirmation. BTC chairman Shivashankar disclosed that the samples were sent to NRCE on Thursday and a final certified report from the authorized laboratory will reach BTC in the next 48-72 hours. "We understand that we need to address the issue on a war footing and we have enforced strict measures to keep it in control," said Shivashankar.

Committee member Dr.Prashanth revealed that the affected horses were put out at the outside stables and the club has decided to suspend the movement of horses in and out of BTC with immediate effect. 

BTC after the NRCE report will need to follow the government protocol. As per government protocol each horse in the BTC campus will be tested repeatedly before the certified vets and NRCE lab reports declare it disease-free. With more than 800 horses stationed at this premier racing centre, this process will take time and that effectively means that the ongoing winter season is in jeopardy. 

The scheduled Friday race meeting was cancelled following the positive for glanders report and not on account of any administrative reason as furnished by the mandarins of the club. Sources from the government veterinary hospital disclosed that the tests conducted confirmed glanders positive and that there is very little chance of a negative report emanating from NRCE. 

Meanwhile it is reported that the Mysore Race Club (MRC), who conducted races on Wednesday have sent two samples to Bengaluru for testing. It is learnt that two horses, one from Suraj Shaw's yard and another from the stables of Mandanna are down with high fever, but no cough symptom was detected. However, the management committee of MRC in no mood to take chances has sent out the samples to Bengaluru. This is no good news emanating from MRC and if the two samples come positive, racing will come to a stop in the state for the next three months.