The moment the National Research Centre On Equines (NRCE) declared the final test sample from the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) negative, the smile was back on the faces of all the stakeholders, conductors of the sport and the racing buffs. After three long months, this premier racing centre has obtained the all-important free from glanders certificate from NRCE, the designated laboratory, nodal authority for testing, confirming and managing glanders in the country. Now that BTC is certified free from the dreaded zoonotic disease after the Hyderabad Race Club (HRC), which suffered most, was cleared of glanders a couple of weeks ago, the racing fraternity is delighted that the two big racing centres in the South will resume racing operations in the months ahead.

HRC in fact have submitted all the required documents to the Animal Husbandry Department of the state for clearance, and are keen and ready to put the horse back on track, the moment the government provides the permission to resume racing. BTC too like HRC need to follow the same procedure in Karnataka. BTC chairman Shiv Shankar disclosed that the onus is on the club to get the ball rolling and gain permission from the state government at the earliest. "Simultaneously we will initiate dialogue with the trainers and owners and ascertain if the horses under their care are fit enough to perform at optimum level," said Shiv Shankar adding that the management committee will take a final call on the start after evaluating the condition of the race track and the fitness of the horses in the campus. 

Unlike HRC, who are stuck with procedural delays, the committee members of BTC are confident that they will gain the government nod to start in quick time. It is easier said than done taking into account that the club first needs to apprise the Animal Husbandry Department Commissioner, CT Shilpa Nag, that NRCE has declared BTC free from glanders and the commissioner after a thorough scrutiny of all the submitted documents and the protocols observed and more importantly satisfied with all the furnished de-notified certificates from NRCE will seek the approval from Department of  Animal Husbandry and Dairying, headed by Union minister Lalan Singh before providing BTC, permission to get the horses back on track. It is no secret that the movement of files in the corridors of power is done at a leisurely pace and racing, BTC needs to understand is not a priority for the government. Well the mandarins of the club are positive that they will gain the permission in double-quick time and if that is achieved, one needs to doff the hat to Shiv Shankar and his men.

While HRC is eager and ready to start and the Mysore Race Club (MRC) have announced that racing will resume in the royal city only in May, BTC is dilly dallying on the start issue. A couple of committee members are in favour of holding  4-5 meeting in March, while another couple are of the view that it will be wise to take time and avoid the hurry and worry. "An extended summer season starting from second week of April and going on till the first week of August appears good. This offers the required binding time for the portion of the renovated track," said former chairman and the present racing committee chairman, Manjunath Ramesh. 

While Ramesh is in no rush, the stakeholders and the professionals are looking at an immediate start. The trainers are fast tracking the horses and going by the number of horses working in morning trials, it is clear that the trainers are looking to get back in business, the moment the track-incharge provides the green signal. 

Be it March or April, the good news is that BTC is now declared free from glanders and that's one big reason to celebrate.