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Ipl Vs Horse Race!

By Raghavan | 15-Apr-2021

Maharashtra advised RWITC to stop racing.  Let us not worry about 4 or 5 days racing that is lost at Mumbai.  The question that should worry punters is whether the Government will allow Pune to run races from last week of July.  In all probability, we should not be surprised if one more summer season will be a washout.  

At present, the racing is on at two Class-C centers.  Delhi and Ooty.  Delhi season is upto 30 April and Ooty season is upto June 11.  And, there is no betting at BTC on either centers.

The daily statistics of Covid cases and deaths across the country is really horrible.  Initially, I was feeling that cancellation of IVB on 9th April was somewhat an over-reaction from BTC.  But, now I feel that we should not fault BTC.  Whether the cancellation was as per GoK instructions or BTC has taken its own decision is not relevant now.  BTC has cancelled inter venue betting and it is certainly a wise decision.  BTC has also not conducted IVB on Ooty races yesterday and today.

Now let us see how far  the Maharashtra Government's decision to run IPL is correct.  When there is a lockdown, it should be lockdown for all sports.  Red carpet wecome to IPL matches and "go to hell" approach to horse racing is highly unfair. Certainly questions will be raised regarding the decision by MH Govt to allow IPL matches.   Cricketers have not jumped on to this planet directly from heaven.  Corona does not care whether one is cricketer, film star, politician, industrialist  or dharma-guru.  It will mercilessly swallow anybody and everybody coming in its path.  So, certainly MH Govt is answerable as to on what consideration/s  it  has given green signal to IPL matches.  The one & only reason that I can think of and give benefit of doubt to MH Govt is spectators are not permitted during IPL matches.

Our politicians have jaundiced vision in respect of horse race.  Barring some negligible exceptions, no politician will ever care about horse race.  To them, horse race betting is a sin.  And, to be fair, they are correct on that point.   The SC ruling that horse racing is a game of skill may be correct during 1970s.  If anyone approaches SC now with a petition to ban this so called sport,   the Court may quash its own orders!

Presently the horse racing is in the stranglehold  rogue trainers/jockeys and the fraudsters who are functioning as bookies.   The stewards who have virtually silenced their conscience and charging exorbitant entry fees from punters, are shamelessly allowing bookies to indulge in all kinds of frauds.

LET US NOT WORRY ABOUT WHETHER MH GOVT IS RIGHT OR WRONG IN ALLOWING IPL MATCHES.  IT HAS STOPPED HORSE RACES.  LET US APPRECIATE THE MH GOVT ON THAT COUNT.  IT IS REALLY BORING TO STAY BACK AT HOME.  BUT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN US TRAINING IN THAT ASPECT.  THERE WAS NO RACING FROM MARCH 13TH TO OCTOBER 31 LAST YEAR.  

SO A THOUSAND THANKS TO ALMIGHTY FOR PROTECTING US FROM CORONA TILL DATE.  LET US STAY AT HOME / OFFICE AND STAY HEALTHY.  LET US PRAY ALMIGHTY THAT THE COUNTRY BE SPARED FROM 3rd WAVE OF CORONA ATTACK!

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14 Replies

The Doc said ...

22-Apr-2021

Some facts must be considered to understand why IPL is allowed and Horse racing not.

IPL players and all supporting staff is living in bio bubble. Before entering the bubble they are quarantined for 14 days and then only allowed inside the bubble. It requires considering amount of money which IPL has. If clubs are willing to folow the footsteps of IPL of creating bio bubbles and keeping everyone inside it till the end of season, government will not have any problems. 

Most important thing of all, MONEY. IPL is a cash cow and feeds lot to government in terms of taxes. Turf clubs contribution is negligible. 

We have so called premier clubs who charge 250rs per day just to view races. Would you imagine them spending money the way IPL is spending, never ever. 

So there is no way racing can be compared to IPL. 

Kris said ...

20-Apr-2021

Very nice post , I got the same observation back of my mind but you have articulated it nicely , personally I don't think cricket is a sport in India , this is bigger than any system and carry lot of emotions and drama  may be in other countries it may be sport and surely not in India, this cricket can bring you votes , create economies , create diversity  etc etc . Horse racing is still a gambling section of sports in India .. so answer is what politics want that will shine brighter  thus cricket is highest priority .over olympics.. democracy... movies or development of country.

 

Golden Viper said ...

19-Apr-2021

The  scene  is very  grim  much  worse  than  all govts  are  saying

The  public  is  equally to  blame  for  not  obseeving  the  norms.

IPL is  a  distraction  in  curfuw in almost  all states.

Racing  is  on  a  back  burner  and  BNG  is  likely  to  be  delayed.

Virus  knows  no  bonds  or  blind worship

Vsr said ...

19-Apr-2021

IPL is viewed world wide whereas Indian HR is viewed by Indians only - mainly for betting purpose, Lat year IPL itself provided profits over 5500+ crores, that is the reason IPL will be conducted and this time it will be around 10k+ crores for just broadcasting.

In view of Business, IPL is 10k times better than HR and is conducted without crowd, they would have been allowed if wave 2 doesnt exit.

Conclusion: Money matters.

Jp said ...

17-Apr-2021

IPL is creation wealth not only for itself but also to all those who participate from owners,players,support staff and lot of others. Due to corona a new business venture to create bio- bubble has come.

What has racing created or destroyed?
a) assets created from real estate and corpus fund created over years for funding the racing activities were all exploited to the advantage of the administrators at the helm instead of adding. Present state of each turf club is the answer. In the name of additional  earnings to the club certain leasing and sale of real estates of the club were carried out with some underhand dealings. 
b) racing and betting activities increased several times but nothing was added to the kitty. 
c) money was spent indiscriminately for members meeting etc 

d) no proper control over the number of horses and how many out of them take part in races. Unnecessary payments as BTF to the trainers based on number of horses.

c) ownership of horses not verified properly which allowed Benami ownership and unscrupulous elements 

d) in case of Bangalore,when bookies were abolished and with only tote,it earned crores. Where is it all gone ? The club did not even construct a habitable stables for the horses and now facing HC in cruelty case. The owners from Poonawalla,Dhunjibai, MAM trust, Shapoorji,Usha stud and other top peoplehave kept their horses in a dungeon. How was this allowed by these owners? If they had pulled out their horses,the club would have attended to the stables long back. In case of RWITC in the name of glamour on important dates money was spent on bringing cinema actors as guests. The actors come only on payment of appearance money. They should have tried to make actors  as owners or made them as members.

e) though the punters crowd increased,very little was taken care in the interest of keeping the crowd or increasing. Maintenance of premises,food was very bad, though it was not subsided by the club. Since the punters pay money they should have got quality food and value for money. Here the club had some understanding and kept a blind eye.

f) FAIR RACING TOOK A BACK SEAT. People will be attracted to racing if there was some skill involved in selecting the winner which was the opinion of SC in the case of restoring racing . Is that happening?  Except an odd race or few races which is merit based,rest of the races appear predetermined.

h) Illegal book makers started flourishing with the indirect support of trainers/owners/jockeys with the blessings of the club officials instead of nipping in the bud. Now they have become benami owners also.

i) inefficient club stewards or people of little knowledge as administrators. 
There  are lots of reasons for the present state of racing in India.
  

Buddy said ...

17-Apr-2021

1] all cricket players are in a bio bubble .                                                            2]its a global sport done well in advance lots to lose if undone.                         3] racing is peanuts in comparision -cannot compare the two.                           4]if need be even ipl will be stopped in case there are a few covid 'P'-players   5]too big to pull it down- tv rights -players contracts -months of big planning,watched all over the world -cricket is truely global -on its way to get bigger - new rules to attract more women players and spectators - Hundred Ball cricket to start soon in UK ...july 22nd........  Raghu our views can never match.....but you have support some here think you are a genius.              

 

Pharlap said ...

17-Apr-2021

yes, the movie, the documentary.. and all related write ups.. Recently Be safe in Bangalore had similar fame.I liked him too.. His grace.. his attitude.. Amazing fellow he was.

Rksh said ...

17-Apr-2021

Though both r prefixed,  IPL is 10000 times better than HR.

Kabir said ...

17-Apr-2021

Better to enjoy the forced break from racing..its more of a blessing in disguise..

Iz said ...

16-Apr-2021

PHARLAP.......have you seen the movie PHARLAP.....a must for every race horse lover...

Jp said ...

16-Apr-2021

Last year the IPL was held UAE and a bio-security bubble was created The same procedure was followed in India-Australia series in Australia and against England in India. The same bio-security bubble is followed now in IPL this season. This bubble was introduced as per ICC advise and instruction to prevent spread of the virus. Indian team after landing in Australia was quarantined for 14 days before starting the tour. Every body including support staff are tested and allowed to play after that. Similarly, the entire environment from hotel stay etc comes under this bubble system and no body can go out of the bubble or no one is allowed inside the bubble without quarantine and testing. Similar system was followed in UAE last year for IPL and same is the case for this year IPL. No spectators and bubble in place the government has to give permission.

Godzilla said ...

16-Apr-2021

Raghavan sir

Very elaborate. Nice write up. Absolutely flawless. Juniors must learn. 

Moses said ...

16-Apr-2021

Lack of racing makes most wise.

Pharlap said ...

16-Apr-2021

Good one... Especially points related to lack of fair racing in India and the Nexus.

I think an indispensable body, an independent one should oversee racing in India.. Probably headed by a military person.