@ Raghavan

     There is no wonder in Sharma trying to glorifying horse racing as an activity that gets reasonably good money for those who have patience and tolerance, mainly because he's a tipster now. I can understand his condition. From being a small-time owner to being a full-time tipster, he wants to somehow make punters believe that one can make money in this industry, a fact that has been repeatedly disputed even by leading trainers and jockeys everywhere.

     If Sharma claims that he has been enjoying horse racing - we don't know if it was in the capacity of a punter anyhow - for the past 37 years, let him. However, that doesn't mean that he must try hard to make others believe that they can also follow suit.

     This is the time where a majority of punters have actually prepared themselves to come out of the 'racing mess' as they have been off racing since March end. My humble request, therefore, is not to hoodwink them by throwing false stories at them, and bringing in past stories of racing glory to 'attract them to the frying pan'.

     If Sharma gives an undertaking here that even after playing with care and patience (as he advocates), if any punter continues to lose money then he will reimburse that sum, it is absolutely fine. 

HP++

First a clarification.  The fgure 8k or 10k that I have mentioned pertains to the crowd at BTC only.  (Not all over India).

And also, the figure represents the attendance for BNG, MYS, MUM & PUN races.  For races at other centers, the attendance is 5k to 8k.

Yes.  The most intellient person will be hopelessly trapped to the addiction of betting.  But, people of average intelligence  generally avoid race betting.  

Just see what is the population of BNG is & what fraction from that population vsit the race course.

People with high intelligence, super high intelligence, super super high intelligence will utilise all their intelligence only to cook up some cock and bull stories of their huge win/s at the races.  The bookie, whose academic qualification may be less than that of these brilliant persons will completely tonsure him.

Adjudicatewar:

A small word of caution.  Of course, you can either take it or ignore it.

Please mark my words.  YOU HAVE NO CHANCE.  Your chances of winning (or at least holding on to your investment) is zero.  If you do not fall into debt trap, you can consider yourself lucky.

However I am hearing too many times about your formula for winning in races on which you claim exclusive copyright.  I am a man of negative mindset, cynic & also pessimist.  So, I will not appreciate the positives of your formula. 

However, my advance congratulations & my best wishes to you.  I will be the happiest man if you tonsure bookies!

Of course, you have to wait at least till Jan 2021 to realize your dreams.  Till then racing is highly doubtful.  And even if by miracle races are resumed, there will be only tote (online) betting.  No bookies!

Now, I am curious.  Of course, not about your formula.  But, about yourself.  Can you please speak something about your city of residence, age etc.

One thing is for sure no one enjoyed profits in horse racing if you win a race and that money will be lost in next race so my suggestion is only Punters having huge account balance like forefathers properties play and loose money so that genius Punters like me win.

Right S C Sharma.

You are definitely having the freedom to either agree with us or disagree with us.  

In the same manner, other punters also have the freedom to agree with us or disagree with us.

But, there is a small, unseen, unheard difference between your agreement or disagreement and that of other punters.

You are from the family of horse owners.  We are punters.  Whereas we bet 2k or  3k per horse after considering various parameters (and after many hesitation), you people spend 5 lakhs  to 50 lakhs or more for purchasing one horse. 

So, in the matter of how one views racing, there is bound to be differences in the outlook of a punter and of an owner.

I totally agree with SSPP.   But, to you SSPP's views are loaded with negativity & pessimism.   You may or may not  be right in your point of view.  And similarly, I may or may not be right in my point of view.

So, I only ask you not to play to the gallery by ridiculing SSPP that his views are negative.  Or sarcastically highlight his losses in one day  or his retirement.  We have to answer too many punters with high quotient of superiority complex.  Let owners, trainers or bookies do not rally behind those punters who speak with biased tongue!.  Without being personal, you are welcome to air your views.  We can still have a healthy debate while sticking to our guns.

All these times, I was addressing to you only as a punter.  Now I know that you are from horse owners' family, I fully agree with you that you enjoyed 37 years of racing.  Let your enjoyment continue for several decades more!  My best wishes..  

SCS

You have answered the question by not addressing it!

@ Raghavan : I am not expecting from you or from your learned friend to believe or agree with me.  That's your choice and prerogative.  Similarly it is my choice and prerogative to agree or not with you.  My elder brother still in racing since last 40 years , he is a member too  at HRC.  He sponsored a race also 2000 guineas won by Sir Dickson trained by Darius Byramji and ridden by P Shroff.  You are forgetting apart from Punter my family owns horses too and that too from 1983.  What's the problem? Let enjoy our racing in our own way. We are not coming in anyone's way. 

S C Sharma,

I find your reply rather amusing.  You are telling that you have enjoyed racing for the past 37 years.  

The general consensus is that all punters are in heavy loss because of their addiction to races which s a very costly hobby.  This is a universal reality and I do not even for argument sake agree with your statement that you enjoyed the game.

There are several 1000s of punters who have lost in races.  And for them your statement will not be of any help!

Sureshot has asked you to state what profits you made in one season before coronavirus stopped betting.  Reply to that for the dates on which your tips appeared in ths site.  If you are not inclined to reply then absolutely no problem.

I fully agree with sureshot on one thing.  That SSPP is speaking reality.  To me SSPP is the real winner.  He has stopped betting after big loss on one day!

There are about 8k bettors attending the race course.  The number may go up to 10k in classic race days   says raghavan

they say can take a horse to the water but cannot make him drink.In racing yu can take the most intelligent and strong person and drown him with his own will...

@ Shureshot : I don't want to interfere with your personal liking whether you like Reality or Dream.  My contention is are you happy?  Are you enjoying your racing?  If no,  than no use of continuing.  Apart from ups and downs,  gains  and losses personal satisfaction and enjoyment is a must for remaining in any activity.  If you are well planned and within your limits, you will enjoy more and rectify your own mistakes with your experience  .  I need not to prove whether I am in profit or not,  because still even after remaining 37 years in racing line I am enjoying my racing and content and happy with my game  plans.  Once you decide to remain happy and start enjoying, you will find many ways and means.  If everytime you engage yourself in blame game than you can't come out of hurdles.  Always it is your choice and approach which makes the difference.  

Aravind,

One should not bet on races by borrowed money, mortgage money, or other's money.  One should attend office punctually, attend all family function etc and only in spare time he is welcome to attend race course.

There are about 8k bettors attending the race course.  The number may go up to 10k in classic race days.  If the restrictions outlined by you is implemented strictly, then the attendance in the race course may be less than 500!  

@hp++

thank you for your encouraging words.....

The old village woman cackles again  She says "   I am so desparate that racing should begin again" 

I stated very cleary let BNG daily    number fall below 600  and online  bettikng  start ,Any way BTC  is out till dec now coming to Pune.

The chairman  seems over optimistic on 23 july pune topped with 3000  cases in one day. Let this figure come belowc 500  for pune than only any thing can be considerd.  I have no news on HYD.

The village woman does  not read others letters and its contents and now his hate number of writers has gone up to 6 ,How many more?

When will his thinking ability change? 

To Sharmaji

One thing is sure that sspp is reality.

Whereas u r showing dream.

By ur post,it seems u wanted to be in good books of all only.

If such is case,r u really making profits .

If it is so tell us what percent of profit u gained in last one season time. I.e. before corona havoc.

I m talking about PERCENTAGE racing- center wise.

Fan of Rajendra

At 36 yu are lucky to understand that racing and making money in racing is chasing a rainbow.No tipster can make yu rich

YU have all the time to gain lost ground.YU are very young in racing terms My advice.. ride a horse but never wager on it

@buddy

thank you bro for your motivational words...

At the very begining I wrote ppls can bet. But it shd be their own money. Not borrowed, Mortagage, others money. Also you find time go to course. Don't create time by skipping office, family functions, etc. If a punter can balanced all, he s welcome to Race courses. I have seen many family/business ppls folliwing this. They lead a happy life. I have many times gave money in advance to freinds to play who is able to visit course whenever I am preoccupied. Big punter or small punters both are same

Fan of R - you have a degree ,work experience -  3 yrs -you still have time to hunt get a job -  lost money lost respect lost health -  now just change track get a job and get all those 3 back ....with your background its possible.

Dear Punters,

      The debate under the topic "PLAY RESPONSIBLY" has reached an interesting stage with shri sharmaji and shri SSPPji waging a grim war of words not giving up their arguments on the pros and cons of the horse racing .

       Sharmaji says,  in horse racing , if one lay his bets responsibly with determination he will win. He says only "HASTE  MAKES  WASTE".

      SSPPji says , whatever one may be intelligent and determination and  lay his bets responsibly , loss is the only ultimatum. He says "A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH".

      Both are highly educated and knowledgable punters and enjoying good reputation in HT and even  the Admin HT gives them much credence  to their point of views. I am not taking sides and respect the views of both .

     But generally speaking , most of the punters are " ON THE ROPES " only, either they are close to defeat or giving up their " WILD GOOSE CHASE" as it turns out to be a time-wasting and unsuccessful pursuit.  In these column itself one  Shri J. ABBAS , who is not belonging to any designated group,  has categorily corroborated the views of Shri SSPPji wherein he has stated that 99% of the punters will loss everything in a week or two in online betting and ultimately will sell their houses within a year.  We punters start gambling with little amount of money considering it as a fun but as the time passes we get addicted to it and then find it difficult to leave and caught behind a catch 22 situation.

       It is reported that the race clubs itself caught in a catch 22 situation due to Covid19, where it can't get people without punting but it also can't get punting without the people.

     What a logic.

@ J Abbas,

You have  given a  correct  picture. 90 to 95% punters  are impatient,immature and driven by  emotions during betting  time.

Many  of them  have lost everything and some  are  still losing it every race day. THey  don't have  neither remorse for their mistakes nor  they want to improve or make  efforts to  understand what  racing is.

The  greed  of  making easy  money  drives  them  to disaster...

@ Einstein : I felt pity when you preferred to criticise me for my association with syces? Are they not human beings? As a racing journo, I have had links with stewards, club officials, owners, trainers, jockeys, syces and many others, including punters. What is there so bad in having company with a syce? Are they 'untouchables'? How can you judge me by that company? It means you like people who only maintain connections with the rich and educated and not with the poor and illiterate. Take it from me, the poor and illiterate are the best to be trusted in any part of the world. You are too young to realise that. Having quit racing on a resolve almost 7 years before, I am in a position today to help the poor too. Only yesterday a person working as a peon in a private firm (and known to me for a long time) came to me in person seeking financial help for undergoing an angiogram. I helped him rs.10,000 with a condition that he repay it within a year without any interest. The genuine happiness that I could see on his face made me forget everything. Never curse the poor or economically-weaker ones. Today you make such statements because of the wealth you hold. The condition can change very soon, particularly because of the dash you show to punt. First try to be a good human being.

Racing is an unequal game anywhere in the World but more so in India. 

Even if I take the claims of some experts here at face value,  3% of all punters may have made profits,  the rest have made loss .

The equation is simple now ---this 3 % wants 97 % to continue in racing and keep making losses,  so that they themselves will keep in good health! 

  Any talk about the ways racing is supervised in the Country and medication rules are flouted is considered negativity.

Racing is a cruel game. It is addictive and can bankrupt anyone in minutes. Sharmaji wants everyone to bet responsibly. A tall wish if you are into gambling. 

@ sc sarma sir you are super we are happy with your Post take lite on on other negative feedback like ;;;; god bless you sir

@sharma ji and smart-still-poor-punter

it is understantable that both of you are well educated and have a lot of experience in horse racing,i accidentally came to race course(guindy) in 2007 july,my age right now is 36,my education is BE,MBA....I started with 100rs,i played pettis in 2011/12(mostly i lost)....bcoz of race am not interested in searching or go for job...my parents know about this....i dont know how to explain...it is a sweet poison....

S C Sharma,

All sorts of punters, that is a retired punter, a non punter & an active punter have the right to post their understandngs in this site.  

SSPP is speaking about his loss on a paticular day.  There are many persons who might have lost more than 2 lakhs in one day.  And there may be persons who have lost in small volume on a daily basis, but losses may add up to more than 2 lakhs or 4 lakhs in one year.  So, do not highlight his loss or retirement in your replies.  

He says you people are not having any chance to win in race bettings.   This you may call as sweeping statement.  But, to me it is the harsh reality.  If you are not ready to accept that, you are cheating yourself.

There were some good selections from your side but you also had your quote of selections that failed.  Whether it is lost by short head or distance, a punter does not get any discount, relief because of the closeness of verdict.

You are telling that there is heavy dosage of negativity in SSPP's post/s.  O K.  Answer that even if coming from a confirmed pessimist.  Or be silent.  Do not discourage him.  I have seen positive thinkers, positive players in 100s.  And I have seen some of the bundlebaaz peddled in this site in the name of contribution by a man of positive mindset.

One thing.  SSPP is not asking you or other to do anything because he lost.  He has accepted the loss.  And because of the strong disillusionment, he has quit betting.  In one way he must thank Almighty for that loss.

Horsetalk members are not interested in his preaching, moral lecture etc.  If that is the case, they are fully at liberty to ignore his posts.  So, what is your loss or gain if he is repeating the same story over and over again. There may be a small number of punters, (may be less than 10) who consider his post sensible and  quit racing.  By and large, 99.99% of punters will generally ignore his post.  I am speaking something favorable to him.  But, I have not stopped betting.  

No amount of sweet talk will convince me that there are winners in this cruel sport.  Of course some people have won big amount/s of jackpot, exacta etc.  But, those who are interacting in this site are not among them.  If anyone is really winner, he should prove in this site so that I can change my opinion.  Generally speaking all are either big losers or small losers, but their ego inhbits them from accepting or disclosing such losses.

And, what your post says.  "dont gamble your life away.. play/bet responsibly"!  "Avoid rash, wild & desperate betting"!  "higher returns in short period always carry maximum risk"!  "In spite of maximum discipline, planning etc if a man is continuing in loss, he should search for other business activity".   Ths is what SSPP is also speaking.  He is asking punters to quit betting.   I do not see anything contradictory in your post & that of SSPP.  Then why this much of a displeasue for his posts?

@ Golden Viper : Looks like you are so desperate for the doors of race-course to open so that you can bring home sacks of money daily? Reading your 'coward'ly comments, all I wish to do is to liken you to 'Shaguni' in the epic Mahabaratha. You will do well to remember what happened to the mighty Gauravas despite being huge in number. So your ganging up with like-minded ones to carry out a smear campaign against me can mean nothing to me. Now listen, my crusade against horse racing spoiling the lives of hundreds of middle-class people will continue, with more vigour now. Wonder people like you refuse to admit that racing can do only harm and no good. If you want to spend money and pass time, who am I to question that? But if people like you or Sharma think that you have taken a Ph.D in horse racing to give advices to people and hoodwink them into racing and spoil their lives, that will be opposed tooth and nail. You told about the story of an old woman. When I see your name, I am also remembered of an old story where a 'begger' keeps walking along the road side near the race-course with an empty sack.

@Smart

You said of some syces and something with regard to that in one posting of yours. That alone gave out about you. They say a man is judged by the company he keeps.

Seriously, you need evaluation. Seek professional help at the earliest.

@ Santa Claus

      THAILAND never ran in any Derby at Hyderabad nor did she win any race at Hyderabad. Surprised that Mr. SC Sharma tipped her and you cashed in !

@ Glasgow Prince : Answer to your query is yes and details are available on my website which is on my name. 

S C Sharma,

Just wanted to check. Do you offer a paid tipping service? Thanks.

@ Einstein 

     Do you understand English? I have accepted on many occasions that more than the money I made, I had lost in racing as punter and that's why I am advocating people belonging to middle-class, with family and children, should keep away from this notorious way of gambling. You seem unable to understand even simple English? Since you are a novice to racing, my advice is for you too, if you really have a family and dependants. Loafers don't have to take it seriously. Hope you understand this at least.

Thank you for an excellent  write up  .it is for every one to himslef realise his limit of betting and losses per day.

Thewre are always one odd frustrated person [keeps repeating his losses story again  and again ] He does not like any critisim of his write ups  

He reminds me of the old village  woman who keeps whimpering about life ,first some listened to  her but soon realised she will not stop  ignore him

 .

I  agree with you regarding racing betting abroad .How many here do it may be a few hundred also it is tough for us money wise to open accounts.

Bookies are gone for this year so we wait for online betting may take few months so will racing to start.

Regards

@ S C Sharma: As I had mentioned earlier, you have no other point to refer other than the loss I underwent. It also appears highly mischievous and totally fabricated information from your side as if you are regularly making profits from racing. By claiming so, you are misguiding people - particularly the youth - and allegedly involved in derailing their rosy future. Please don't invite others to your fate. It was my firm decision to quit racing in 2014 after which I am leading such a happy and wealthy life earning in lakhs per month and spending only for good purposes and particularly not losing even a single rupee in gambling. The pain and anger always are possessions of a losing punter and I am no more that. For a person like you who always breath racing, it's  quite difficult for me to explain the inherent dangers in a better way and as I said before you are pretending a lot. You may do so but don't try to spoil the lives of others. Allow them to take their own decisions.

A very fine in depth write up. Assessed all front's of racing beautifully. Congratulations

@ Santa Claus: To be very sincere I don't have much exposure to international racing but in corona pandemic due to more free time first time I spared some time on HK and UK races and posted my picks and tips but my success rate was not to my expectations, though many of my selections lost narrowly and came in places. I take this experience as a good opportunity to learn more and work further hard. As and when I further engage myself for other country racing I will post my picks and tips as usual at HT. Regarding betting sites I don't know much but number of persons mentioned about  some sites including one about  bet 365 in horse talk, so better you go through the relevant information and decide. I never indulged myself in betting outside India and no intentions to do so. Thanks for your compliments and God bless you. 
@ SSPP : The fact remains same for me as I never overshadowed truth from my side but on contrary I found your posts on HT as reflection of your own anger, pain and negativity. If you treat others as responsible than you won't engage yourself on preaching them. Your ideas reflects your experiences as narrated by you and disclosed by many on number of occasions that how you lost big amounts on a single race day and decided to retire from racing. That itself shows your impatience and rash and wild approach towards the game.

   As far as difference in opinion is concerned, you may have different point of view on one or two points but it is observed you differ with many on many points, just to show yourself right. No one can accept this. Whenever authentic information were posted by others, you immediately differed with the statements of race club officials and govt officials and bent upon thinking that you are the competent authority to re -start or ban horse racing, because you are always against racing. You never uttered a word on other sports and business activities at stand still in the country and you are not optimistic that all these activities should resume soon. It is a matter of time and everyone responsible is working hard to see all activities including racing to resume soon. Your negative approach and propaganda will not fetch you anything and can't sustain for long. 

    I am a very open person with transparency and I use my genuine original name to express myself openly. I cannot endorse negativity and support a person who reflects always his pain, anger and malicious ideas on this forum and always differ with others to simply glorify his negative campaign and thoughts.

@S.C.Sharma

A fool and his money are soon parted is an old but proven proverb. The likes of Foolish-But-Still-Clinging-Around-Punter belongs to that category. They will never accept their shortcoming but will gladly point out of others. That's what he is doing to you too. 

Hello s c sharma sir

I m one of ur huge fan. 

I m following u from last 2 years on horse talk, n 1 of my high earnings on ur pick "Thailand" in hyderabad derby.

So, frm past few months n in this pandemic, i was away from this horse race n bettings. So now i want to start online betting. So can u please suggest me which online app or website is best for betting ? 

n keep suggesting ur picks like how u did in the last Hong Kong happey valley meeting. 

Thanks 

Ur huge fan :)

Racing is a Gambling everyone knows well. It's upto individual to plan and play. If he ask Humpty Dumpty number ppls he will be confused. Luck plays important role here. Even if everything is perfect can't gaurantee unless horse win and we get money. What everyone experienced, kniwledgable punters great advice is don't Addicted to it. If you have your own money, you find spare Time go to race course and play after good study. Don't create for money,( borrowing, mortagage, diverting amount kept for some other important matter)don't create Time( taking off from works,skipping family functions,etc) very important don't discuss about Racing with any one.presentlt we have minute details are shared in IR and race books. We can study deep refer IR any time and prepare yourself. Enjoy Racing, Betting and Love Horses. 

@ Sharma : In an open forum like this, everyone is given the freedom to respond to the post as he feels. Hope you are aware of that. I have also replied only in a very dignified way all through. While I had opposed certain lopsided views expressed herein, perhaps only with the intention of hoodwinking hapless punters by giving false hopes, I had also termed as 'true' and 'genuine' some statements. If you expect everyone to keep praising for whatever you write as pass time, I am not there. Like you enjoy the liberty to express your views calling upon punters to play in a 'responsible' manner, I too hold the right to counter what looks to me 'irresponsible' remarks. You want punters to believe that they can keep on making money if they follow a certain strategy whereas I preach that no amount of plans can help one to be on profit here. I used my own case as an example because I thought there is absolute authenticity in doing so. If only I had not disclosed that I made and lost in racing, how you are going to use that as the only weapon to attack me and defend you? It also appears as if you are making money on all race days due to your patience and playing pattern. What you have been oreaching is only to control losses while I want to caution the punters - the middle-class ones - to just lift themselves out of the trap and begin to lead a normal life. In which way it hurts you, I wonder. Like you look into various aspects, I was also doing the entire homework but quite convinced that punting is like hunting an unexisting creature. I was having money and the right to play like everyone, and to lose. That doesn't snatches my eligibility to advice others. You know very well that horse racing is like white ants that slowly eat up into everything over a period of time. However, you wish to pretend that racing is good but I prefer to attend to reality. How can you take the axe? I'm sorry Sharma. 

When yu gamble there is nothing safe and responsible about it

Yu eventually lose all..

Hello Sharma,

On a lighter note, it seems the Covid-19 pandemic has turned most punters into teachers and preachers;-)

P.S. You are doing a good job by posting on varying topics.

regds,
Cruise 

@ SSPP : I really thank you for your different view point  and interpretations on my post because it suits you, because even after retiring hurt from racing you are fully active and engage in racing.  Racing is not leaving you to forget your past losses and  you are the most suited example of my post wherein you earn lakhs in a single day and lost in no time and took retirement.  If you have committed mistakes,  played rash,  become impatient,  unable to control emotions,  not followed any strategies and planning than what others can do?  How we are responsible for your deeds ? Number of time you got the reply from HT Reader's for your preaching and teachings and advises.  Your campaign against racing not yielded fruitful results because what you are preaching you yourself not following .  If I am in my limits and enjoying my racing what way it hurts you?  You want everyone to retire like you? ,  that's not possible.  Everyone is having it's own game plan and most of them enjoying in their jurisdiction.  If one is following his hobby,  passion or enthusiasm he need not to follow you.     My post was simple and common and often what happens for that a simple caution.  I am not against racing nor carrying any negativity like you.  I am a optimistic person and always hope for the best and always enjoy my activities in my limits.  Normally I don't prefer to react also but when you cast aspersions and took the things on wrong path,  it is my duty to reply you.  Please stop such things on this forum.  Everybody knows what I am doing and usefulness of my posts.  You have every right to differ or you post your own article on this subject which you have posted number of times but no one followed you. Please don't misguide and give school boy treatment to HT Reader's. 

@ Sharmaji, 

 A punter 's mind is a psychologist 's delight. It is a mind that is destined to fail. The net result is  , he becomes a bookies delight too. 

A punter is his own enemy. All the time he is trying to read the devious mind of the bookies. Sometimes he is reading the race like an owner. The mind is tuned is such a way that  , if he plays a favorite and if it fails,  there is a solace that he is failing along with the world. If he plays and outsider,  he would have played a much lower bet as he feels that he is going against the world  --a risky proposition. The truth is that both the horses --favourite or outsider are equally risky. 

Most of the time even a trainer or jockey is not in a position to tell that his horse will certainly win. But they can certainly make a horse lose. Only a naive punter can believe that all horses in the race are there to win. If intention to win becomes the most important  , you are back to the same ----reading minds of bookies  ,trainers , owners and jockies. Catching the winner is secondary. Very complicated process  !

Hello All, 

If Online betting started, Very soon authorities will accept international tracks for more revenue, Than 99% percentage of Punter's will loss everything in a week or two week. I played atleast 15 to 20 tracks daily and bet in Six month's $149,360.02 dollars and lost around ($15,636.23) dollars. If you don't believe me, Here is my upto June 30, 2020 statement from NYRA New York Racing Association. And beside NYRA I bet on DRF.com also. NYRA gave me daily $1000.00 line of credit and Drf.com gave $1500 line of credit for week. So careful everyone on Online, Don't sell your house in one year. 

well said sharma ji..most of the points are true...my dad advises like this too..

     As I took time to read the entire post, I thought I must come with an able rejoinder that explains many of the disputable points raised herein.

     The post itself starts by saying "gain and enjoy in any field...". That's true in any field but horse racing, isn't it? I know at least a 1,000 punters in 5 or 6 race courses in India and wonder if at least one of them had claimed that he enjoys the gain that me makes in racing. Why I am compelled to say this is because every time a punter wins, he hurries to calculate how much his loss has come down, either for that day, month or year.

     Subsequently, the author says "take the 'risk' factor into serious consideration". We all admit that racing is nothing but a risky venture. That being the case, how much serious one can be?

     The remark that after one starts losing, he engaged in 'blame game' is a genuine statement because everyone would like to know how his favourite animal lost because he has picked it after a very careful study. For instance, the whole world plays a horse - after clearing it from all angles that the author states later like bloodline, trackwork, night odds, rider etc - and when it gets beaten by a rank outsider, is it not binding on the punter to go into a serious introspection and when it becomes clear that there was some misappropriation in the running of that race, are you denying him the right to engage in 'blame game'? Should he keep his mouth shut and accept such unholy practices in racing, which has more or less become the order of the day in many race centres in India today?

     "Very often quick and fast gain, investments lead to failure and losses" is again a true statement. But when that gets followed by "then you start chasing and recovery process, you furhter lose" is something to be contested. What else will a loser do? "You lose, you chase" this is all horse racing is about but why no one is prepared to accept it?

     This point is quite boring to be true : "If you are well aware about your fixed income and taking risk for a certain per cent from your income and investing or spending on your hobbies, passion or enthusiasm then it's ok". What I infer from this statement is that "you are any how going to lose, so why not afford to lose only what you can". I may be wrong that I am reading between the lines.

     "Temptation is the main factor and 'impatience' mainly leads to failure". Kindly show one person who has exhibited patience and won in racing? Whether you get tempted or not and whether you remain patient or not, the net result is LOSS.

     "Planning is not perfect, playing all races?" I don't know if this reference is for 'Chanakya' who often claims that he plays all races - and two or three horses in one race - but still makes profit every day. Many HT writers - the latest being 'Adjudicatewar' - here claim to be having some 'secret strategy' that gets them money but not a single soul has come forward to vindicate their tall claims, why so? How to believe that some punters alone walk in with 'strict plans' and go home with a booty daily..where is the proof?

     "Knowingly or unknowingly trapped" - a true statement.

     "Why pay more attention to odds fluctuations?". Shouldn't we? A punter selects a horse after a lot of study and finds it to be at a certain price in the night odds, say evens. He wants to back it with conviction. But during race time he finds the animal being offered at 3/1 and some other outsider being installed the favourite at 11/10, and the fluke-turned-favourite wins too? Do you mean to advocate that only because a punter selected a particular horse, he must play only that and not pay heed to the fluctuation in odds?

     "Why start believing in inside information?" Kindly let me know what else one should believe these days in horse racing? There are many race courses in India where horses are made to win and lose. You aso know that but for certain reasons you don't want to accept it in a forum like this, am I right?

     "Horses may lose because of many reasons..." This is the best way to console onself when a horse loses, isn't it? Why it did not win becomes a subject of contention like it happened in the case of "Be Safe" when it lost a certain Classic. That debate will continue to remain raging as long as Indian horse racing exists. 

     "So play your normal stake which you can afford". Okay, a punter plays his normal stake, loses. He can afford that for the first few times but later in an attempt to recover the loss, he wants to enhance his investment, not knowing that he's going to lose that also. Again, this advice seems to be made only to contain one's loss and not to make even a marginal profit.

     "Winner picking requires a lot of study" At least, I may not agree with this claim because as a racing journalist for about two decades, I had undergone an indepth study of horse racing, including all the aspects that are referred to in this post. However, finally one more study will come to beat us at the post? 

     "Remain within your limits and budget". A majority of the punters do this only, isn't it? But when loses come one after the other, they start breaking. That's the truth. You invest hoping for some profits but when you incur only losses? I was in a position to lose a few lakh rupees in racing and when I realised during a weekend that making money is very easy but losing is much easier than that, I gave up the habit of punting altogether. Had I again tried to remain within my limits, I may not be available here to post this reply.

     This remark is what actually irked me a lot. "Any business get acquainted...". How can anyone accept betting on horses as a 'business'. In any business, you invest and take back profit, either big or small but here it's mostly a one-way traffic where you keep investing and losing.

     "Rash, wild and desperate bettings are mainly responsible for loss of many". I beg to differ with this point too as no punter engages in such kind of an act. Everyone picks his personal choice after studying the card in his own way, a way that may have got him a short-time profit earlier. 

     Finally, while this post may look very interesting for a non-starter to read, for any punter who has been involved in betting for at least few years it can only sound baffling, with many points unable to accept or just trying to overshadow the truth.

     Thank you