Dark clouds hover over Mahalaxmi

MUMBAI, FEB 2: An element of uncertainty still looms large over the the glamourous Indian Derby scheduled to be held at Mahalaxmi on Sunda...

MUMBAI, FEB 2: An element of uncertainty still looms large over the the glamourous Indian Derby scheduled to be held at Mahalaxmi on Sunday with bookmakers up in arms over the suspension of three of their fraternity M/s Ram & Ram, Fred & Co. and Baji by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) from January 20. The suspensions following the raid carried over by the Social Security Department of Crime Branch on January 16.

There is considerable tension among Mumbai-Pune bookmakers, who are of the firm opinion that the RWITC should not have suspended the licence of the three bookmakers before the Stewards of the RWITC concluded the enquiry going into allegations of illegal betting. It is prevailing practice that licence of trainers and jockeys are not suspended till Stewards conducting an enquiry finish their hearings. In case of bookmakers, action has been taken before the conclusion of the hearing.

The representatives of the bookmakers met the RWITC committee on Wednesday evening and requested them toallow the concerned bookmakers to operate with immediate effect. But the RWITC committee have called the representative of the bookmakers on Thursday to delve further into the matter.

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Namdeo Dhasal, leader of the RWITC employees, has threatened to strike work on Derby Day in case the bookmakers particularly Ram Dhandekar, president of Bookmakers Association of Western India (BAWI) are not allowed to conduct their businesses.

The bookmakers will meet on Thursday after their meeting with the RWITC to decide the future course of action if the suspensions are not lifted.

The RWITC has added fuel to existing fire by issuing notice to bookmakers to pay penalty for shortfall in the field money during the 1999 Pune Season. It’s understood that the Club had agreed not to impose any penalty, particularly in view of bookmakers agreeing to enhance the stall fee by 11 per cent from the current season.

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