Rs 3 crore loss over ’unstable’ affair

Following a tiff between Bangalore Turf Club and the stable staff over payment issues, the richest race in India's history, which was scheduled to be held yesterday, has been postponed to July 17

Rs 3 crore loss over 'unstable' affair

Following a tiff between Bangalore Turf Club and the stable staff over payment issues, the richest race in India's history, which was scheduled to be held yesterday, has been postponed to July 17
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Even before the curtains were raised on the Bangalore Derby 2011, it shrouded in a blanket of controversy. Twelve hours prior to the scheduled time of the biggest race of the season, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) announced that the event has been postponed.

Disappointed: International trainers and jockeys who flew into the city
to participate in the historic race are feeling let down. Pic/Satish Badiger

The race was adjourned because all the 3,000 Syces (labours who tend to the horse) went on a strike over payment issues.u00a0 Krishnachari, president of the Karnataka Pradesh General Workers' Congress, who is representing the Syces, stood his ground and said the Syces Union would not budge till their demands are met.

Reason behind tiff
"They are just demanding their basic salary and dearness allowance, which is being denied to them. Also, they do not get benefits like Provident Fund (PF), gratuity and Employee State Insurance (ESI). The matter is pending in the court and we'll continue the fight for our rights," said Krishnachari. Meanwhile, the club members who were in damage control mode all day, said that they had a healthy dialogue with the Syces Union but feel that their demands are unnecessary. "No body can hold our institution at ransom like this. We do not believe in cheating our employees. However, the matter is before the court and we will deal with it legally," said a board member from the BTC.

Just stop it!
Expert race commentator, Mahendra Mallya pointed out that the unfortunate delay is a huge blunder and the club should have dealt with the matter before hand. "A healthy discussion can solve any kind of complication. The event had record stakes for the country and if the club would have had stronger negotiations, sensibility would have prevailed. No one is happy because of this delay and it has caused a lot of inconvenience. Both the parties should work towards sorting out difference on the table and not on the turf track," he said.

The big loss
International trainers and jockeys who flew into the city to participate in the historic race are feeling let down. With a prize purse grossing beyond Rs 2.36 crores, the event has incurred losses of about Rs 3 crore. "Due to this delay, the horses may lose form. Besides, the trainers too have undergone losses and the production costs of companies featuring in this race have doubled in just one day. Moreover, horse owners who have come here from different parts of the country will have to change their schedules, which will cause more losses," said a jockey who's competing in the event.

Bookies lash out
Insiders reveal that the unofficial betting estimate for the event was about Rs 40 crore. With the event being delayed, bookies believe that the favourites would change drastically. A bookie, on condition of anonymity, revealed, "The horse that was the favourite today will become a dummy favourite next week. So a normal gambler would bet on the favourite and lose a lot of money and this will have an ill-effect our business. We have been getting calls from across the country with people who are looking for some consolation and advice because of the unforeseen delay." While another bookie said that inspite of the delay he is hoping that gamblers would return for fresh bets. "According to the information we have, it is still undecided if the derby will take place next week. We are hoping that the club sorts out the matter, or we would have to sell our houses to cope with the losses," said the bookie. The BTC wore a deserted look all through the day, even as groups of gamblers walked around the premises to track the progress of events at the club. However, with both the BTC and the Syces Union refusing to budge, it remains to be seen if the event would draw more controversy in the next few days.

Paid peanuts?
The normal work routine for a syce begins at 4 am everyday and ends at 11 pm. The salary that they are entitled for is Rs 8,000 per month. However, Bangalore and Mysore syces claim that they have been receiving only Rs 4,800 as salary from the BTC. Further, they allege that they have not been given bonus, Provident Fund, gratuity, Employee State Insuranceu00a0 and other benefits they deserve.

Loss incurred*
Horse owners: Rs 10 lakh