If I were a trainer....

Trainers in Pune paddock [RWTIC file photo]

This may turn out to be an interesting exercise.

We, the racing people, have one distinct trait that I think no other community has. Each one of us--a punter, horse owner, jockey, trainer or even a Tote ticket seller--has his/her own opinion on EVERYTHING under the sun, and definitely on ANYTHING related to racing.

So imagine you are a trainer based in western India, and you receive this "Note" from the Stipendiary Stewards a month before the Pune season is about to begin. How would you react to it? Feel free to post your reactions (I have given my reactions in bracket against each point, you may just list the relevant number and post your reaction.)

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Note from the Stipendiary Stewards

Re: Norms for restricting the number of two-year-old horses into western India and culling out of older horses with effect from January 2010.

The undermentioned criteria will henceforth be followed to restrict the number of two year old horses into training and to cull out the older horses:

1. The number of two-year-olds to be permitted in western India will be restricted to 350.

(I disagree. Two year olds are "potential" champions and racing is all about meritocracy. Unless the connections race babies, they are unlikely to discover how good or bad they are. So putting a ceiling on their number is 'defeating' the raison d'etre of this sport.)

2. QUOTA SYSTEM: Each trainer will be allowed to have 7 (seven) two-year-olds for a season. However, if a trainer intends to get more than seven babies in his charge, he may approach another trainer who may bring less than 7 babies and use his quota with the latter's consent in writing.

(Is this a joke? Are we trying to bring communism to racing? Good trainers (performers) get more babies than bad trainers do, so why should they be asked to "beg" stables from the losers? And how are they going to "settle" that favour? By "paying" them money? Or by letting them "win" some races by going soft against their runners? I have never come across a more absurd idea in my racing days.)

3. The number of horses in a trainer's yard will be restricted to 80 horses--that is 60 older horses and a maximum of 20 two-year-old horses.

(Again, I disagree with the latter part. At least, let the trainer decide the composition of his lot if he cannot have more than 80 horses.)

4. Horses aged seven years and over who are at rating of below 60 points should be compulsorily retired and will not be eligible for a stable.

(I agree.)

5. The rating of all 4 year old & over horses will/may be dropped by 6 points at the end of each Mumbai meeing and after dropping the scales all horses below the rating of 10 points should be compulsorily removed from western India before allotment of stables.

(I agree. In fact, this can be done twice a year, at the end of both Mumbai & Pune seasons.)

6. All horses aged 4 years & over that have not raced for one year should be retired.

(I think this is an excellent suggestion.)

7. Horses declared unfit/unsound for racing by the Club's Sr Veterinary officer should be retired.

(I agree, except if the owner/trainer wants one review of this expulsion, it should be allowed and norms should be put in place how it should be done. Otherwise, there is a danger some decisions of the Sr Vet may be accused as abritrary, high handed or unjust.)

8. Permission to bring in outstation horses by any trainer must be subject to availability of stables. (I think, under reasonable circumstances, graded and other important listed races should be treated as exceptions.)

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By the way, if you are wondering if this is an imaginary exercise, it is NOT. The stipendiary stewards DID send this letter to trainers last month!

Pune season start in jeopardy

Bath time: Will that continue? That's the question on everyone's mind in Pune where the start of the season may be hit due to water shortage. Read on..... [Pic: RS Gupta]

If you always thought there was only one way the Pune monsoon racing could be washed out, and that was having incessant and too much rain, think again.

As things stand today, the start to the season, scheduled for July 16th, may be delayed due to NOT having sufficient rain!

I was in Pune last Thursday, and that was the first day the track maintenance department was forced NOT to water the track.

Reason? The obvious one. Water shortage situation that threatened to get more serious if it did not rain quickly. And the news over the last four days is depressing.

It has not really rained since then, barring odd showers here and there, but the catchment areas that collect rain water for city's future consumption are still waiting for their levels to rise. The scene is so bad, the Pune municipal corporation has already imposed cut even in drinking water supply.

At the moment, the RWITC authorities are trying to cope with the situation by watering the track on alternate days, and have ensured that the stables get their full quota for horses. But if the situation does not improve fast, there is a strong likelihood of the season's start getting postponed.

The cloud of uncetainty hanging over the start can only be dispelled by clouds carrying water in their belly. It is ironical only dark clouds can now bring in a silver lining.

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"We can start on time if things don't get worse": B Nanjappa

Postscript: I just spoke to Mr B Nanjappa, Clerk of the Course, RWITC, who is in charge of the Pune racetrack maintenance. Here are excerpts from the telephonic interview:

PG: According to you, how serious is the situation?

BN: The situation is definitely alarming. The irrigation department has shut down our main resource of water, so that's obviously a very big setback. However, we have taken some steps, and I can categorically say that even if the situation does not improve, racing can start on the scheduled date.

PG: What kind of steps?

BN: Measures like resorting to borewell water. We have already started doing it, and we are using it conservatively. The horses will get their full quota of water, but there may be some other compromises. Like we are watering the track on alternate days. Also, today I have advised trainers to restrict fast work to only three days in a week--Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. When racing starts, we may also have to put up with a somewhat firm track, you know the kind that may throw up dust in some places.

PG: Do you have any other worries?

BN: Racing can start on time if things don't get worse, but then ultimately we are at the mercy of the rain Gods anyway. Because the borewell water stocks may deplete fast. We just hope the rain signs in before that happens.