Why was the favourite pulled out of race at the last minute?

While an injury was cited as the reason for Speed Six not running in the race, bookies suspect foul play because the horse lost to yesterday's winner by a mere 1/100th of a second in the trial run

While an injury was cited as the reason for Speed Six not running in the race, bookies suspect foul play because the horse lost to yesterday's winner by a mere 1/100th of a second in the trial run

There was a huge shock in store for those who had gathered at the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) yesterday to witness the richest race in India's history. Speed Six, the favorite in the race, was pulled out at the last minute following an injury in its left leg.


Out of control: Stud farm employees struggle to put a horse into the
staller before the start of the race at the Bangalore Turf Club yesterday.
Pic/Satish Badiger

While this led to severe disappointment amongst those who had come all the way to watch it win the title, the decision set rumour mill running about some foul play being involved, as Speed Six has a photo finish in the trial race and it lost to Pronto Pronto (yesterday's winner) by a mere 1/100th of a second. "Had Speed Six participated, it would have surely won," said Mahendra Mallya, a renowned racing commentator.


Lot at stake: Speed Six's owner had invested about Rs 4 crore to
promote and execute this event. Pics/Satish Badiger

Bookies furious
The bookies were the ones who were disappointed the most. "We have been putting out really good odds for Speed Six, as it was in excellent form and had been performing well for months. Something surely went wrong," claimed a bookie.


Way ahead: Jockey Srinath rides Pronto Pronto to victory to take
home a purse of Rs 1.42 crore

Skeptics across the country were shocked at this last minute change. "It looks like a major deal was struck. The owner had invested about Rs 4 crore to promote and execute this event and his own horse pulled out at the last minute? The main question now is whether the biggest loser is actually the secret winner," questioned an expert who has been following the derby for over 20 years.

Unfortunate injury
Meanwhile, loyalists to the horse owner remained tightlipped about the decision. "No one can bribe an owner to withdraw from such a big game. They plan years ahead of the race and only a novice could smell a rat in this," explained Mahendra Mallya.

Also, the BTC defended their owner saying, "The tracks were wet due to rains; the horse may have buckled and twisted its leg. But there is no two ways about the fact that had Speed Six participated in the race, it surely would have been the winner," said Shailesh Shivaswamy, committee member, BTC.

He added, "Speed Six's owner has gone hammer and tongs to organise this event. However, with his own horse pulling out it seems like a huge sum of money has gone down the drain for him."

Minting money?
The official turnover for Derby 2011 was Rs 11.5 crore but the unofficial figure crossed a mind boggling Rs 23 crore. However, with the government doubling the tax amount, the BTC is faced with yet another problem.
"The tax has been increased to 8 per cent, which is killing the club's tote. Unofficial punters are making money as they don't have to pay taxes and can provide better odds," said Shivaswamy.

Syces unheard
The BTC has not addressed the Syces demands yet. The club said that trainers who are assigned to look after the welfare of the syces are to be blamed. It claimed that the syces can never be permanent employees and hence they do not deserve PF and the ESI.