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Govt approves spectator-less action at BTC; online betting likely
BENGALURU: After the summer season was wiped out due to the pandemic, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is ready for action again. The state government on Friday cleared the decks for resumption of horse racing in the city, albeit with a rider. The races will be conducted behind closed doors sans spectators.
“… Government has accorded approval to conduct spectator-less closed-door racing activities…” stated the finance department in a letter to the BTC.
The government’s approval came through following a request from the BTC on June 24.
Soon after the permission was granted, BTC officials got into a huddle to discuss the modalities. The managing committee is expected to meet soon to put together a plan and also formulate the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for race days, which will be done in consultation with the other stakeholders. It may take about four weeks for horses and the jockeys to be ready for competition and for the club to put a system in place.
With spectators not allowed inside the premises, betting is likely to be held online, with the club in the process of developing an online betting application through which punters can place bets and the dividends will be paid through a digital wallet.
This means, there will be no off-course betting, unless racing centres begin operations.
Earlier in July, the state government had given in-principle approval to BTC to conduct online betting.
“Even with the permission, we are a month away from resuming racing. While the jockeys have been exercising the horses, they will still need time to be race-ready. Also, a system will have to be put in place to conduct the races,” said a source.
To begin with, entry is likely to be restricted to jockeys, trainers and participating horses’ owners.
The jockeys returned to the race course last month after being out for more than four months. They had to undergo Covid-19 tests before resuming activities and some of them had tested positive. Since their return, their temperature is being monitored every day. Entry is barred if there is any variation in the temperature and it is mandatory that they produce a Covid-19 negative certificate to return.
NO PRESENTATION CEREMONY
The BTC will do away with the presentation ceremony, an age-old practice, which was held after each race.
“There is no point in having the presentation ceremony when we are focussed on minimal people at the race course, safety and social distancing,” said the source.
RETURN OF JOCKEYS
A majority of the jockeys who race here, are currently stationed in Pune in anticipation of the season beginning there. Also, many of them are yet to regain competition fitness and will need time to be fit.
RAIN PAIN
While deciding the calendar, which is likely to be a one race day a week, the BTC will have to factor in the weather. The winter season usually begins in November here because the track is not conducive for racing in the monsoon.
A SIGN OF RELIEF
The horse owners, who have incurred huge losses, and the trainers are hopeful of better days ahead. Welcoming the government’s move, seasoned trainer S Padmanabhan said, “It is good news that the government has granted permission to resume racing. It gives us an opportunity to plan for the horses to get fit, knowing that they will race soon.”
BENGALURU: After the summer season was wiped out due to the pandemic, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is ready for action again. The state government on Friday cleared the decks for resumption of horse racing in the city, albeit with a rider. The races will be conducted behind closed doors sans spectators.
“… Government has accorded approval to conduct spectator-less closed-door racing activities…” stated the finance department in a letter to the BTC.
The government’s approval came through following a request from the BTC on June 24.
Soon after the permission was granted, BTC officials got into a huddle to discuss the modalities. The managing committee is expected to meet soon to put together a plan and also formulate the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for race days, which will be done in consultation with the other stakeholders. It may take about four weeks for horses and the jockeys to be ready for competition and for the club to put a system in place.
With spectators not allowed inside the premises, betting is likely to be held online, with the club in the process of developing an online betting application through which punters can place bets and the dividends will be paid through a digital wallet.
This means, there will be no off-course betting, unless racing centres begin operations.
Earlier in July, the state government had given in-principle approval to BTC to conduct online betting.
“Even with the permission, we are a month away from resuming racing. While the jockeys have been exercising the horses, they will still need time to be race-ready. Also, a system will have to be put in place to conduct the races,” said a source.
To begin with, entry is likely to be restricted to jockeys, trainers and participating horses’ owners.
The jockeys returned to the race course last month after being out for more than four months. They had to undergo Covid-19 tests before resuming activities and some of them had tested positive. Since their return, their temperature is being monitored every day. Entry is barred if there is any variation in the temperature and it is mandatory that they produce a Covid-19 negative certificate to return.
NO PRESENTATION CEREMONY
The BTC will do away with the presentation ceremony, an age-old practice, which was held after each race.
“There is no point in having the presentation ceremony when we are focussed on minimal people at the race course, safety and social distancing,” said the source.
RETURN OF JOCKEYS
A majority of the jockeys who race here, are currently stationed in Pune in anticipation of the season beginning there. Also, many of them are yet to regain competition fitness and will need time to be fit.
RAIN PAIN
While deciding the calendar, which is likely to be a one race day a week, the BTC will have to factor in the weather. The winter season usually begins in November here because the track is not conducive for racing in the monsoon.
A SIGN OF RELIEF
The horse owners, who have incurred huge losses, and the trainers are hopeful of better days ahead. Welcoming the government’s move, seasoned trainer S Padmanabhan said, “It is good news that the government has granted permission to resume racing. It gives us an opportunity to plan for the horses to get fit, knowing that they will race soon.”
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