Pune: The effects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has already been felt in the two centres where the racing began after the new tax regime came into force, and the news has trickled down here at the Royal Western India Turf Club where the usual racegoers are perplexed with what is in store for them in this season.
The horses will come alive again, but the sluggish response from racegoers may really set the trend for the coming season.
Rains have been in bountiful leaving the course lush green and with the good work done by the groundskeepers the track is expected to hold on to the pounding of the four-legged flying machines.
Unfortunately though, unlike in the past years, the enthusiasm seems subdued with new tax regime sure to eat into their pockets.
These days the crowd comes to the course to make fast money, and no wonder the tax authorities have imposed the highest tax on the racing activity despite repeated representations.
Like an old timer at the course would say ‘dreams are made here and many a time they die young,’ but in this uncertain times fortune will favour only the brave as these young studs who have invaded the course may live to see another day of racing, only if they are smart.
Nostalgia galore
Going back a decade or so, one saw a host of race goers’ who came from far and near to watch racing at the ‘Queen of the Deccan’ during monsoons and later enjoy at Koregoan Park, Camp or maybe Deccan.
The famed Kayani bakery would be packed on a Saturday morning or evening by these racegoers, but unfortunately that crowd has gone missing.
The hotels and lodges in and around Camp used to be packed. The YMCA would be packed with jockeys from outstation and midnight oil use to be burnt at the various hotels and lodges, but now its not the same anymore.
Coming back to hardcore racing scenario, there are no Aslam, Vasant Shinde, the Marshall Brothers, SR Bhagwat, Helleal Moses, Warren, Sherry Kapoor or Satish Narredu.
Missing from action are also the likes of Jethu Singh, JE Perriera, Vinod and some young guns, but yes it is nice to watch talented jockeys back like A Imran Khan and SS Baria, donning silks again with much vigor and determination.
One good thing happening this year would be to watch the riding talents of A Sandesh and P Trevor. The two ride all around and don silks for some famous owners too.The style and comfort with which they ride is a feast for the young riders in this part of the country.
Owners’ dilemma
Owners are not to keen on showing their prized flying machines at the Pune course, they would rather gamble for other centers were the rewards are large and recognition is greater.
So with a mediocre set of runners here not many outstation racegoers are seen trying to catch the live action. Hence the crowds are dwindling and the cash registers too.
When one looks back from a decade to now one wonders what has changed.
A few that one can count on are—computerization of the Tote, paved flooring, good landscapes, yearly paint jobs, more TV’s, more stables, more races, some sponsors and increased prize money.
The tote windows have gone down, the betting tax has been on the up and this is what keeps most of the enthusiastic sporting crowd indoors.
Horse racing has been portrayed as a sport of Kings to be enjoyed on the weekend with family and friends, but what is there to attract the new crowd, nothing except the gambling part.
Killer tax for RWITC
- RWITC who had worked overtime to make a number of presentations to various tax authorities in the last five months, including a personal meeting with the finance minister has been disappointed at impostion of 28 percent GST on racing.
- There is a fear this level of tax may drive most of the betting into illegal channels, that will benefit neither the race clubs, nor the government.
- RWITC Chairman is of the view that wait and watch policy may help. Once the tax on lottery is decided, then RWITC would decide on its next steps, after the meeting of chairmen of all race clubs in the country.
