LAHORE, Sept 4: The dispute between Lahore Race Club (LRC) and Turf  Accountants over financial contribution resurfaced again when  the later packed off from the club Wednesday.

The cause of the dispute is  the  volume of  financial contribution made by the turf accountants to the LRC and continues to linger on for the last over one year. It took a serious turn Wednesday when the bookies abandoned their stalls in the  club premises and marched out. As a  result  Wednesday’s races were held solely on Computerised Totalisator betting.

LRC had recently asked the  bookies to raise their contribution in view of the start of the Winter Meetings from Sept 8  to help LRC increase stake-money  to  be awarded during races.

The bookmakers representatives had earlier agreed to  enhance their contribution but since their majority failed to  reach a consensus between themselves, they resorted to a wild cat strike in protest on Wednesday before the start of races.

In  the past too the turf accountants had been protesting  as in their view, the amount agreed between the two was beyond  what they  claimed  their paying capacity. With  the  results  similar situations had been occurring some times in the past too.

On the other hand the LRC maintains that an agreement between the two was reached and each party is bound  to  honour that agreement.

 Keeping this agreement in view the LRC has prepared its  budget and announced a raise in stake-money keeping in view its  revenue resources and the bookmakers contribution.

In order to appease bookmakers the LRC had recently allowed them to charge five  per cent betting tax on each bet laid with them. But even then they are not satisfied.

Of late  the LRC had reduced the prize money and  the  race horse owners cooperated with the club in order to let  the racing continue  with the hope that the prize money will be increased in meeting races. But  the  new situation has dampen the spirits of owners.—AG