August 20, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 21, 1424

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KARACHI, Aug 19: The Summer Gymkhana races scheduled for today (Wednesday) have been cancelled because of the stand off between the Managing Committee of the Karachi Race Club (KRC) and the bookmakers.

The dispute arose following the running of Shane Bond owned by Miss Asra Ashraf on Aug 10 when the thoroughbred three-year old was allegedly pulled by jockey Nisar Ahmad.

The bookmakers, informed the members of the Managing Committee well before the start of the race that they sensed some foul play but the stewards refused to take any action as most of them were allegedly involved in the whole scenario.

Generally when the stewards sense some doubt on dubious betting in the ring, change the riders to save the punters from burning their fingers. It was mutually agreed between the bookmakers and the Managing Committee that they will cooperate with each other for the sake of clean racing.

After the race the bookmakers delegation met the members of the Managing Committee who expressed their limitations as a very influential person who it is alleged also backed Visitor on the advice of some members of the Managing Committee and others close to him.

As a result, the bookmakers demanded that the entry of Shane Bond should be banned for at least two months which the Managing Committee refused to, for obvious reason. The bookmakers who patronise the races and without their patronage, the club cannot held races as the prize money is given to the owners on the contribution made by the bookmakers.

Since the dispute remained unresolved, the bookmakers boycotted the Independence Day races but the Managing Committee managed to persuade 11 bookmakers who refused to the demands of the Association.

Some leading owners withdrew their charges at the last minute which definitely spoiled the competitive stinct. The KRC announced that races will be held on Wednesday but had to cancel it as the bookmakers succeeded in persuading the owners not to enter their horses.

The KRC, however, failed to inform the media on the whole development. When the secretary of the Club, Maj (retd) S.A.H. Shah was contacted by Dawn he showed complete ignorance and said he knew nothing about the cancellation. He despite repeated queries refused to divulge any details.

The president of the Bookmakers Association, Mr Munawwar, when contacted to know the progress, said that the members of the Managing Committee have refused to talk. Mr Munawwar said that they wanted fair racing and were prepared to cooperate but would not allow anyone to pull a fast one on us or the punters. He said that fixing of races had now become order of the day and unless some formula was worked out they will not operate their stalls.

The Chairman of the Karachi Race Club, Mr Yousuf Dada could not be contacted for official version as no one picked up his telephone.

The present Managing Committee is perhaps counting it’s days as their term expires on Aug 31 and the club management has failed to notify fresh dates of elections which should have been done at least one month in advance.