Finally the members of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC)  decided to toe the government line and in the Special General Meeting (SGM) the members in the interest of the sport decided to accept all the conditions of the government, while agreeing in total to shift base to the 110-acre land at the Kunigal Stud Farm, two years after gaining clear titles. Leading breeder and the most sought after promoter of Indian racing, Mr Zavaray Poonawalla while pointing out that the club in the given situation had no option, made it clear that it is wise to go along with the government, taking into account that the priority is to save and continue racing at this premier centre. The fact that the biggest promoter of the game, who to his credit is sponsoring all the classics including the Derby and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, next month in Mysuru, put out the big picture, the BTC members acknowledging the thought process of the famed breeder and the cumulative effort of the committee chose to clear the decks, accepting all the listed conditions including the all-important final compromise petition which needs to be filed before the Supreme court. The Apex court after hearing the matter on Wednesday has provided a final opportunity to the two parties to reach and report a settlement, adjourning the case to Oct 28, three days after the Champion Of Champions event in the royal city on Oct 25.

BTC chairman, Mr L Shivashankar when asked if BTC has the necessary finances to build a international standard race course in two years responded with the proverb: when there's is a will there's a way. Mr Shivashankar disclosed that the government understands the financial crunch the club is facing and is likely to provide the necessary permissions to raise finances for the construction of the racecourse at Kunigal and the state of the art club house on the four acre land at the existing premises.

The land at Kunigal is offered on a 29-year lease period with an annual rent of 2.5 percent on guidance value. This approximately amounts to 9 crore a year and that certainly will put BTC on the mat. "We are seeking a generous concession and hopefully it will be 0.5 percent of the guidance value following the cabinet approval," said BTC steward Arvind Katarki adding that the club has also asked the government to provide the same lease tenure (29 years) for the four acres at the existing premises and this also needs to be put forward before the cabinet before arriving at a final and favourable lease period from BTC's point of view.        

Committee member Dr. Prashanth pleased with the response of the majority of the members to straight away agree with the committee's decision and advise to go with the government said: "The members understood that the club had very little choice and that it was time they moved out to a new place, a place of their own," said Prashanth pointing out that the racing buffs too were delighted that wiser counsel prevailed and the horses will continue to gallop to fame at this centre.