Astronomical "Horse-Racing losses" and being cheated at the "RACE-COURSE""HOW I RECOVERED FROM A GAMBOLLING ADDICTION.

Sunrise over the Mahalaxmi racecourse.

"BETTING RING" of the Mahalaxmi racecourse.

On "Indian Derby Day" in "Members Enclosure" on Indian Derby Day-2010.

Saw "Seabiscuit" the movie and just finished reading the same book by Laura.Hillenbrand. Please read this book even if totally "Illiterate" in the sport of "Horse-racing".A book based on the 1930's era but relevant even in 2009! Later,in 2010, on Wednesday(1-12-2010) saw the movie "Secretariat" at the "PVR Multiplex" theater at "High Street Phoenix" in Lower Parel(Mumbai). The movie was a total flop in Mumbai with just 12 cinema-goers in the entire theater (Nos 3)for the 1120 hrs show. It was a fantastic movie, reliving the age and era of "Secretariat", definitely one of the World's greatest thoroughbred in the modern era of recorded and written history."Secretariat" , the movie brilliantly demonstrated the power of patience, faith , business decisions and luck in the complex and costly World of thoroughbred horse-racing.Its legend, "A TOSS OF THE COIN" had determined the "OWNERSHIP RIGHTS" of a newly born foal, later named "Secretariat", the rest being "Horse-Racing folklore and history" one of the classic cases of "LUCK/DESTINY" playing a vital role in a "BUSINESS DECISION".Memoirs of some of my own unforgettable personal experience as a "Common Punter" in horse-racing in India have been "Blogged" for posterity as well as a reference to "New Punters" trying their "Luck" at the race-tracks."Horse-racing" as a "Intellectual Pastime" is beneficial to a common wage-earner or business tycoon as it sharpens "Decision Making" and "Risk-Taking", a necessary ingredient for being a successful business tycoon or a salaried employee. If "gambling" on your losses becomes excessive then its either time to visit a "Psychiatrist" or "self-heal" as i did in order to prevent "Total Bankruptcy" or "Gamboling Depression".Study of horses and "Horse-betting" has definitely made me a successful "Stock Investor" as i purchased my stocks akin to purchasing "race-horses", a personal interest in the valuation as well as progress of the company and dividends in the form of "Company profits".Akin to "Horse-racing", some of the company's that i invested went "Bust" while some reaped huge profits and ultimately the art of winning lies in holding a "Stock Portfolio" where your "Company winners" outnumber your "company Losers".Remember the proverb,"To a businessman, "horse-racing" is gamboling, while to a "Horse-punter", running a "Business" is gamboling! Both are partly correct? My greatest "Stock Portfolio Loss" in a calendar month was in January 2011 when Rs 22,00,000 was eroded from my "Stock and Mutual Fund" portfolio within 30 days, beginning from 1-1-2011 and ending on 31-1-2011.A small one bedroom flat could be purchased in the distant suburbs of Mumbai by a "Middle Class Family" or a modest "Mercedes Benz car" by a "Rich tycoon" with the Rs 22,00,000 lost on my portfolio in a month.The only difference between "Horse-racing' and "Stock Market Investment" is that "Horse-racing losses" are instantaneous akin to "Stock Market day-trading" while "Stock Portfolio Investments" are "Paper Losses(Notional Losses)" unless en-cashed and hence depend on the "Term Holding" strength of the investor.The initial reasons for the "Great Stock Market crash of January-2011" were inflation in India and the "Egyptian Revolution" for the overthrow of Egyptian president Hosni.Mubarak.If the Stock market recovers, the investors portfolio might recover its losses, but again, hold for how long?Warren.Buffet, my Guru in "Stock investments" stresses that an investment should be for a life-time and never "Short term holding" and i sincerely hope he is right in my case of "Personal Portfolio management", my present vocation and income. Here is my side of the story as a "Horse-racing punter" akin to "Day Trading", something that keeps my mind active as well as the adrenalin glands busy, although at a price. GREATEST Horse-racing losses on a single racing day have been Rs 35,000 in Bangalore in June 2007 and Rs 44,000 on 25/11/2007(Sunday) in Mumbai ,these financial heart-attacks which might have proved fatal to a lesser mortal.How many "SALARIED CLASS" punters could afford to lose Rs 79,000 in a single "FINANCIAL YEAR-2007" and still remain solvent? Out of Rs 6 to 7 lakh total horse-racing losses approx Rs 2 to 3 lakhs must have been on “DERBY RACES”.

Thursday(20-3-2014) :-Leisure "Horse-Riding" on Deolo Hill  Garden resort in Kalimpong(W.Bengal)

I COULD HAVE BECOME A "RACE HORSE OWNER" OF AT LEAST 3 TO 4 HORSES AT "R.W.I.T.C" CONSIDERING AN AVERAGE PRICE OF Rs 60,000/RACE HORSE AND MY TOTAL AVERAGE "GAMBOLING LOSSES" OF Rs 5,00,000+! HORSE-RACING IS THE BEST INTELLECTUAL SPORT PROVIDED YOU HAVE A CONTROL OVER YOUR "BETTING" OR ARE "INSANELY WEALTHY" TO AFFORD LOSSES, UNLESS A VERY LUCKY OWNER OR COMMON PUNTER.THIS THESIS OF MY OWN PERSONAL ADDICTION TO "HORSE-RACING BETTING" COULD BE HELPFUL TO PATHOLOGICAL GAMBOLLORS FROM AVOIDING TOTAL "FINANCIAL RUIN".The ultimate “Death bullet” to my horse-racing “accumulated Losses” came in the 2007 Pune Derby where I lost Rs 12,000 on “Czar Alexandor” on a place bet @ 65/100, the horse finishing in the ruck along with the favourite.

Pune Racecourse paddock (1997 Nanoli Derby) :-  For a few years whenever in Mumbai alway's made it a point to travel all the way to Pune to attend the annual "Nanoli Stud Pune Derby" akin to the "Indian Derby" at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. 1997 was one such year when i had attended the Pune Derby. 

The “2007 Nanoli Pune Derby” on Sunday 14th Oct made punter Rattan Khatri’s invention “Matka Gambolling” seem safer than the sport of horse-racing considered a game of skill and not pure gamboling by the “High Court” of Madras, a landmark judgement that re-introduced horse-racing in Tamil Nadu. The Derby was a real shame to the majestic sport of “Horse-racing” where even a “Class-V” horse would seem competitive, a totally manipulated race according to my opinion with “Bookie’s” making legendary fixer Arnold Rothstein seem “outdated”! Hope I get cured from gamboling addiction after this atrocious “2007 Pune Derby” and realize the futility of trying to earn a honest living in Horse-racing. The “Czars” of Russia are history in the most bloody episodes of civil War and ironically horse “Czar Alexander” of impeccable pedigree has put me into horse-racing oblivion."Better Late, than Too Late” to quit the sport before penury settles . .
Matka co- inventor in India Mr Rattan Khatri a regular at Mahalaxmi race-course is a shadow of his hey-days as a model for the Hindi movie “Dharmatma” and reportedly worth Rs 100 million in his prime days ,but today in 2007, a lonely infamous old celebrity living on memories in an era where “Matka” is extinct akin to the Czars and horse “Czar Alexander”.
Satish Maneshinde noted criminal lawyer(Sanjay Dutt blast case) and a “horse bettor” was quoted as saying that the “2007 Pune Derby” would be a straight fight between “Golden Edition”(jockey Prakash, Owner Dr Ramaswamy” and “Czar Alexander”( jockey C.Alford, Owner Dhunjibhoy) proving that “Horse-racing” can fool even the most notable “Criminal Lawyers” used to “Reading humans”! Sir, was “2007 Pune Derby” Fixed? A case for “Financial white collar crime”?“UNBREAKABLE”! Mafia politics of Indian Horse-racing, a "COMMON SECRET"?
Normally, a writer usually does “RESEARCH” on the subject to be written which might range from a few days to years of study in order to be authentic to the topic.

"HORSE-RIDING CERTIFICATE" issued by "Amateur Riders Club(Mumbai).

" AMATEUR RIDERS CLUB" :-Been there, seen that, learnt that"! With over 2 decades of "HORSE-PUNTING" experience and fortunes won and lost had decided to learn "HORSE-RIDING" at the "Amateurs riders Club" in Mahalaxmi. During "Summer Holidays(May)" the "Amateur Riders Club" conducts a "Ten Day" basic horse riding course for "Outsiders(Non-members)".Normally the "AMATEUR RIDERS CLUB" is one of the most restricted clubs, the very wealthy elite of Mumbai patronizing the club.The Ambani kids are members to understand the membership criteria.I had done the course in May 2005 and realized that "HORSE-RIDING" is not easy and a jockeys job is definitely one of the most dangerous professions in any sport.Elated to say that i didn't fall and completed the course with full honours.
I have 28 years of horse-racing experience behind me although I admit not personally knowing either a “Horse-owner”, “Horse-Trainer”, “jockey” or even a “syce”, all my study being through personal observation, personal betting and proximity of the race-course to my residence.
I first entered “Mahalaxmi race-course”  in 1980 as a 19 year old  with a few of my Mazagon Dock Marine engineering batch-mates  to watch    the “Indian Derby-1980”.The race was won   by "Mohawk" ,the horse ridden by Irish jockey Mr Wally .Swinburn  and  owned by Mr Ranjit.Bhat. After that day went home glamorized by the event and the thrill of fast horses.Later on joined  the "Merchant Navy" in 1983 and then despite years of sea-faring always kept in touch with the sport through news articles and occasional visits when in Mumbai.
In the  1990’s I was also a regular early morning jogger at the “Race-tracks”, hence studied ‘Horse language and behavior’ as also a regular betting punter.
Since the late 1990’s after taking “Off-shore shipping jobs”, the race-course was a “Second home” to me as also my gradual “Accumulated losses” on punting, an addiction worse than “alcoholism’ or “cocaine” if in excess, since the end result of a losing gambler is “Financial Bankruptcy”. In India we don’t have a “Social security system”, hence the effects of “Financial Bankruptcy” could lead to fatal consequences at worst or social isolation and beggary.
The “INNER CIRCLE” of the Indian horse racing fraternity could put America’s “Italian Murdur Inc Mafia” to shame in “Horse-racing” manipulation, an equivalent to “Financial Murder” . The ultimate victim of the “Financial murder” is the common punter relying on “Race Khabbar” and ‘Race guide books’ for betting on race-horses including yours truly as also the average businessman trying to attain “Social aristocracy” by means of “horse-ownership”.
According to my “Democratic Opinion”, Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy , the country’s largest horse-owner during my "ACTIVE HORSE RACING GAMBOLING DAYS (1990-2009)" as also “Classic Winners” is the biggest manipulator of his own horses , instances being numerous and very obvious to a “Professional common punter”, especially in the smaller regional racing centers. Agreed, without Dr Ramaswamy’s enthusiasm the sport of “Horse-racing” would become redundant creating unemployment in many of the regional racing centers, most prominent being Ooty and Mysore . Hope, the “Global village economy” makes “Indian horse-racing” an accountable as well as truly competitive sport but the most important criteria for the same is “GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION” for “Horse racing reforms”. Akin to the “Stock Exchange Reforms” like “DEMAT” and “Internet trading”, the sport of “Horse-Racing” requires “Accountability” for it to prosper as a “Commercial Enterprise”. At present Indian horse-racing is just a “PRIVATE CLUB” of the “Mega Rich” with “Race-Club Losses” being subsidized by the “Race-club members” and the hordes of common punters playing musical chairs in the hope of becoming financial tycoons! Just a single day “Indian Derby” crowd of 25,000 and above is not a true indication of the “Mahalaxmi Race-Clubs accumulated Losses” as a pure “Horse-racing club” since most of its income is derived through renting the race-course for marriages.
Over the years I have never missed an “Indian Derby” but 4/2/2007 (Sunday) was the first instance when I witnessed the derby from the “Members Enclosure" at a ticket cost of Rs 260 and honestly it was one of the most exciting days in my life although I lost Rs 18,000 at the race’s. The “Carnival atmosphere” and “fashion parade” was mind-boggling, better than watching television models on “fashion TV”. Having witnessed the “Hong-Kong racing derby” and the World’s best filly “Ouija Board” from the “Members enclosure” at “Sha-tin racecourse” in 2005 which attracts the best "International race-horses” and the largest crowds, I do have a privilege of comparing “The Indian Derby” with “International horse racing”. “The Indian derby” at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai represents an “International human fashion parade” that compares to the World’s best with the “carnival show” akin to Disneyland. We Indians are a real contradiction in extremes, the richest people living amongst some of the poorest as also the home some of the World’s most beautiful women and handsome men. “Indian derby 2007" would be an everlasting memory for the grandeur as well as the shock defeat of “Southern empire”. The “Brazilian samba dancers”, “Australian Stilt Walkers”, “American/German Hula-hoop Belly dancers” were worth the Rs 18,000 that I lost since traveling to these countries to watch these performances would be more than the loss on the “horse-races”. Thanks to economic and entertainment liberalization, “Indian Derby-2007” proved that the average Indian can experience “world class entertainment” in India itself. Do I make “Horse-racing” economic sense?

“Southern Empire’s” dismal failure in the 2007 Indian derby at 30/100 odds to stable mate “Diabolic” at 10/1 Odds would be the cause of a “Financial Fraud” inquiry if it happened in Hong-Kong, Dubai, U.K, Australia or the U.S.A ,akin to Harshad Mehta’s stock market manipulation in the early 1990's. In India, only “Stock-Market” frauds receive “Government Recognition” and realms of “newspaper coverage” since “Horse-racing” is considered a “Vice-sport” and not an “INVESTMENT SPORT” by the majority “Middle-class Indians”. Horse racing patrons and punters are either viewed as “Mega-rich” who can afford to lose money, or as “Gamboling Addicts” akin to alcoholics and drug addicts who are considered rejects of normal society and hence least sympathized on financial losses, losses being a part of gambling sins! In most First world country’s “Horse-racing” is considered an “Investment sport” and strictly regularized by the “Turf Authorities”, hence a profitable income source to the Government as well as “race-course authorities” also a reasonable fair investment returns to a few common punters. India itself is on the verge of becoming an “Economic superpower” and “Indian derby 2007” was a “Showcase” of the fabulously wealthy and International lavish entertainment of “India Inc” on par with any “Economic Superpower country”. The rest of the “Horse-racing season” receives sparse crowds proving that “Indian Derby day” has less to do with horse-racing results and more as a “Social gathering” or “Business gathering”.
Early morning “Track runs" of horses are religiously studied by punters and the “Odds” determined of a horse , hence weren’t the “Track runs” of “Diabolic” or “Southern empire” an eye-opener to “The opening odds” on “Indian derby day-2007”?
Did “Southern Empire” have an “Off-day” although the horse looked in excellent condition, in the pink of racing health according to my years of “Race-horse study”?
Is jockey B. Prakash unlucky for “Derby Races”, having lost all 2006 derby races on “Favourites” except the 2007 “Hyderabad derby on “Diabolical”, a strange paranormal occurrence? He lost the “Pune Derby” on “Ruben Star” at 50/100 odds in which the horse flopped beyond human imagination. Was “Ruben Star’ on an “Off-Day” for the “Pune Derby” akin to “Southern Empire” in Mumbai? Strange paranormal fact: A punter told me that whenever Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy’s first jockey wore the “White cap” in Derby races, that horse lost which is absolutely true in all of the “Derby losses” of jockey B.Prakash in 2006/07.
The entire “Indian media” vouched for “Southern Empire” indicating its “Track runs” were normal, hence how did the horse flop on the most important day of its racing career?”
“Southern Empire” at 30/100 odds was the lowest in the history of the “Indian derby” after “Royal Tern” which won the derby at “Money-Back odds” in 1978, hence its failure is difficult to digest.
When a horse is sent as “30/100” favorite it means large sums of money have been bet on the animal since a “Shift” in betting to another horse would widen the “Favorite odds”. Either the “Bookie’s” had prior information that “Southern empire” was not on the “JOB”, hence offered “Attractive Odds” on the horse, an infamous “Bookie Trick” which I myself have witnessed with horses losing at 20/100 odds on common races. A paranormal fact for “Southern empire’s” shock defeat could be the “Indian Derby Jinx” of a favorite losing the “Indian Derby” after winning the “Ramnarain Ruia cup”. The horse-racing fraternity is superstitious and posterity has proved a lot of these superstitious hypothesis as facts.
Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy has so far won 476 Classic races with the latest being the “2007 Indian Derby”, a “Guinness World Record” in “Horse-racing”, a total monopoly where even India’s richest tycoons fear to tread or have not been as successful. Prior to Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy’s domination, the Maharajah’s and “Mill Owners” ruled “Indian horse-racing”, the only ‘common horse-owner” to be extremely successful being late Mr Ranjit Bhat. The “Tata’s”, “Birla’s”, “Ambani’s”, and some of the richest “I.T Company founders” avoid “Indian horse-racing” for various reasons and not because of the “Gamboling tag” since survival in” Business” itself is greater gambling than “horse-racing”. Reading the book “Competition Demystified (2005)” by Bruce Greenwald and Judd Kahn ,an American text book for “Management students” with “Case Study’s of American Industry” made me realize that building a business empire is easy but maintaining the same is a challenge of Titanic proportions. History is littered with industrial empires that were once “Household profit brand names” and pioneers in their Industry later becoming “Chapter 11 Bankruptcy study cases” for students. Having a working knowledge of the “Shipping Industry”, the pioneer of Indian shipping “Scindia steam navigation” is a classic study of “competition Demystified in the Indian shipping Industry” .The “Dot.com” bubble and “stock market crashes” are proof that business is more volatile and manipulative than “Horse-racing” where losers are the majority and winners a minority.
Reasons for “Horse-Racing” corruption being untraceable is the simple reason that powerful persons are involved and horses being unspeakable animals are considered unpredictable at times and its “Human Connections” given the benefit of the doubt .Ultimately as a “Business”, in the long run it’s the “Bookie’s’ and “Monopolistic owners” who benefit economically from “Horse-racing” while for the rest its either a dangerous “Addiction” or a “Costly social hobby”.
“Bizarre horse-racing Corruption exposed on 11/2/2007 Sunday”: ‘Mazan” a “Class v” horse created “Class 1 horse-rigging” at the Mahalaxmi race-course in the first race of the day “The khaalis plate”, ridden by “Apprentice jockey”, Raju Singh and owned by my Class XII C.C.s ( Christ Church School) batch mate Asif Potia. The first time in my 28 year racing career have I witnessed the “R.W.I.T.C Authorities” declaring a race “Void and Nil” purely due to “HORSE FIXING”. Pity teenager apprentice jockey Raju Singh for being so foolish as to rig a “Odds-On Favorite Horse” and ruin his budding career in “Horse-racing” when other “Celebrity jockeys” have got away with “Horse-murder!”, names being too familiar to quote. Majority of the apprentice jockey's are from poor financial as well as educational backgrounds hence susceptible to threats and easily fall prey to “CORRUPTION” at a tender age and if unlucky get a severe punishment, that in some cases could be the end of a career at worst or a deep psychological scar at best. I have never met a horse owner and i knew former “Bombay central landlord ( family owned large tracts of Bombay Central area!) ” Mr Asif Potia personally since 1977 although lost ntouch of him after schooling day's as in my lifespan numerous wealthy, infamous, poor and humorous acquaintances were and are a part of my social life. I noticed his name in the “Race book” due to the “Mazan Controversy”, a truly unforgettable racing incident that won’t end in a hurry. So, my research on “Horse-racing fixing’ proved true although I am a total “OUTSIDER” in the horse-racing Industry being from a “Middle-Class background” and no “Bhai connections”. The Potia family have won not one but two “Indian Derby ” race's during the “Maharajah years” and strangely decades later the Potia’s lowest graded horse “Mazan” has created controversy akin to “Diabolical” upsetting “Southern empire” in the “Indian Derby 2007”.
Thanks due to realms of “News paper articles” by reputed racing journalists that the “R.W.I.T.C Authorities” have admitted that “race rigging” does occur and is a part of corruption in “Horse-racing” as in other Industry’s where “Big Money” and “Big reputations” are involved. The main criteria of the “turf authorities” should be to reduce “Horse-racing corruption” since trying to eradicate it would be impossible as in other Industry’s.
According to me, the greatest upsets that I have witnessed in the “Indian Derby” have been of “Noble Eagle” in 2003 and “Diabolical” in 2007. In 2003 Indian Derby pace-maker “Noble Eagle” won from a ‘Start to Finish’ fluke attempt, an accepted fact by punters proving the mysteries and charms of horse-racing. “Southern Empire’s” loss to stable-mate “Diabolical” is an “Open-Secret” of the first instance of “The Indian Derby” being manipulated by the “Breeder’s and Owners lobby” with the “Common Punter” being “Turf fodder!”. The subsequent performance of these two stable-mates “Southern Empire” and “Diabolical” in the “2007 Invitation cup” would have been a strong case for “Insider Trading” and “Horse-racing Fraud” since both these horses were no “Fluke Winners” akin to “Noble Eagle” who never achieved anything notable besides the “2003 Indian Derby”. Generations of “Fortune Explorers” have made their presence at“Mahalami Race-course” and among them a few became “Gamboling legends” a “BENCHMARK” for “Fortune Explorers” and a few “Gamboling Failures”, advertisements to the pitfalls of gamboling.

I have personally witnessed great International horse-racing jockeys like Lester Piggott, Willie Carson, Pat Eddery,Walter Swinburn, Mick Kinane , Kieron Fallon, Frankie Dettori ride at “Mahalaxmi race-course” ,akin to seeing Muhammed Ali or Mike Tyson boxing during the prime of their careers.In no other sport, besides "Cricket" have so manny top International sportsmen performed in India as in "Horse-racing" at the Mahalaxmi Race-course in Mumbai.
Among Indian jockeys, the best witnessed by me have been Pessi Shroff and Aslam Kader among the retired jockeys. The present jockeys riding would be named for their riding prowess after my “FINANCIAL RETIREMENT” from the sport! I have lost maximum money betting on Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy’s horses as also the majority of “Bankrupt punters” since he practically owns horseracing in Indiia, most unforgettable losing horse being “Ruben Star”. Jockey B.Prakash has taken me for the maximum losses and my firm opinion is that most of horse-racing in India akin to Professional Wrestling is “FIXED” and for proof the “Ooty horse races” would even teach W.W.E a few tricks in “Stage shows”. Recently after the self-confessed "2008-Formula-1 race fixing" in Singapore besides numerous "Cricket Fixing scandals' i have come to a conclusion that dishonesty to a certain extent is prevalent in every sport, horse-racing being one of the sports.I have dived into “Speculation gamboling” post my farewell from shipping employment with “Horse-racing” being my daily “Day-trading” and “Stock Portfolio Management” my wealth creator, a hobby that has become the pillar of our household financial stability.
“Quit the game when people ask why and not when they ask when”, the immortal sporting quote credited to late cricketer Mr Vijay Merchant is absolutely relevant in any walk of life let alone the more competitive world of sports.“THE MIKE TYSON BANKRUPTCY SYNDROME”: Have become a “Gamboling addict” without admitting it or realizing it till the “LOSSES” have multiplied!
Have lost Rs 80,000 in a span of 2 months , same being balanced by my share market profits and worse I suffered from “Jinxed BAD-LUCK” and not due to very reckless wagering on “Race-horses. I definitely have become a firm believer in “Jinxes” after my own “Personal experience” and definitely the “Hope diamond” and “King Tutankhamen” “ media hyped jinxes are real although well advertised but definitely not “Hoaxes” as furure events in history has proved the “Jinxes” true akin to “soothsayer prophecies”.
First I lost Rs 60,000 trying to break my “Derby Jinx” and lost huge amounts on two firm favourites horses at 50/100 odds and on 11/11/07(Saturday) I lost Rs 20,000 on first favorite horses on the “Bangalore races” and two horses lost in a similar manner “a short head!”
I used to wonder the reasons of boxer Mike Tyson , yesteryear's Indian comedian late Bhagwan, late actress Meena Kumari and among my personal acquaintances small-time Bollywood producer and “Kishore Kumar duplicate” late Robin Bose and further in my own marine profession, deck officer late Mr Christopher Dias all from different “Society strata” and “Professions” going “Bankrupt” inspite of “Brilliant careers”.
Regarding the “Celebrity names”, the reasons according to the media were “Vices” and “Bad investments” and same reasons applied to the “middle-class acquaintances” whom I knew in my life-time, in other words a “Vice” or “Financial failure” akin to a “Terminal disease” if left untreated results in “Self-destruction”. ” After losing a record Rs 44,000 on “Super Sunday 25-11-2007” I realized that “JINXED LUCK” alone was not responsible for my “Horse-racing Debacles” but also a “INVISIBLE COTORIE” of “RACE-COURSE POLITICIANS” making “Cannon Fodder” of common punters including myself.
Daily “Man-on the street” Mr Rudolph. A .Furtado hasn’t yet reached the “Terminal disease stage” of “Financial bankruptcy” but would soon be a victim if I don’t treat my self-destructing “Gamboling addiction” and worse, refuse “de-gamboling self therapy” akin to “drug or alcohol de-addiction”.
The fact is that in India “Gamboling addiction” akin to “drug or alcohol addiction” is not taken seriously and hence numerous cases of households being bankrupted through family members gamboling excessively. “Star News’ projected a few “bankrupt gamboling models” on television to highlight the negative effects of excessive gamboling and was an “Eye-opener” to people not knowing the after-effects of “Addictive gamboling” which also includes “Day-trading” on the Stock Exchange which unlike to “horse-racing” is considered as “Investment losses” which is respectable and considered for “Income tax deductions” unlike “ Horse-racing gamboling losses”, yet the end result is the same, “FINANCIAL RUIN”! Ultimately both the “stock-market day trader” and the “horse-racing punter” go bankrupt if reckless in cutting short their losses.
I will still be a regular at the Mumbai horse races but hence forth only as a spectator which I honestly admit will be a difficult “gamboling de-addiction process”.
Thankfully I have decided to quit “Horse-racing” on 25/11/2007(Sunday) having lost Rs 44,000 in a few races that was an “ADVERTISEMENT” for either “SHEER BADLUCK” or blatant “HORSE-FIXING”. Enough is enough, at present, I might just be a “LAUGHING STOCK” but being “BANKRUPT” would not be a hilarious affair with “Horse-racing”. Addictions are difficult to control but I hope that my “gambling addiction” ceases as have my other vices. I have survived 9 motorcycle falls, two of them “death defying”, similarly “Bankruptcy” will not claim me before my physical death.I hope to live by the "Hongkong and Shanghai Bank" investor motto, quoted simplistically, "Make sure your money outlives you and not vice-versa."!
Restarted my “Horse-racing” career as I realized that “SPECULATION” will and has been the source of my income as well as wealth building in spite of astronomical losses which is part of a “SPECULATOR’S” life , even if successful.


I am not writing this thesis on “Indian horse-racing and corruption” as a “losing punter” since I have always discounted becoming a “multi-millionaire” through “Horse-racing” as a “Common punter” relying on “Race-course guide books” and “Newspaper racing journalists”. Every newspaper racing journalist predicted a “walkover win” for “Southern Empire” and these same journalists acquitted themselves after “Diabolical” winning the Derby by saying that horse-racing is unpredictable and nothing is sure until the race is over! Since I love wild-life and have had a succession of pets, the sport of “horse-racing” fascinated me and provided entertainment as well as a study in probability theories although from a “middle-class” background where “horse-racing” is a “taboo subject”. The very fact that having personally visited the “Asian Mecca of Gamboling, Macau” in Dec 2005 and not gamboling proves my dis-enchantment with “Casino gamboling” as an income, but in horse-racing there is at least a 50% chance of “Punter skill” prevailing in “Fair racing” akin to “poker”, hence my fascination with the sport as also my attachment to animals and animal welfare.
Quit “Horse-racing” as a “Gamboller” since I realized that I was chasing a mirage in trying to beat the odds in winning as a “COMMON PUNTER” without “Insider connections” and a “Bankruptcy taxation rate”.
That I survived so long should make me a strong contender for at least the “Limca book of records” as the “Longest surviving active punter” in Indian horse racing.
I had been to Bangalore and as usual gamboled at the race-tracks with the losing streak beginning with the “Evergreen Ruben Star” on Saturday 9th June 2007 , my “fatal attraction” since I have always lost whenever I bet this horse hence making me a firm believer in “Jinxed luck”. To recover the “Ruben Star”(Rs 1000) loss I next bet on “Woman on Top”(Rs 3300) which came second in controversial debatable riding. On Sunday 10th June 2007 , I went and bet on Fav “Assert the Right @ 56/100 WIN”(Rs 16500) and the horse did a “Reuben star TRICK!” finishing in the ruck in a 7 horse field and finally my horseracing bankruptcy was complete with “Seize the Night @ 2 ½ WIN” (Rs 16500) who placed 3rd @ ½ money. I played it to win hence proving the fact that the average or brilliant punter can never realize a profit in “Horse-racing” over a lengthy period of time in India since the sport is controlled by powerful lobby’s immune to “Race-course Judiciary” or “Punter paper criticism”. I am writing after “Donkeys Years” as a common punter , which began as a curious spectator to the “Indian Derby” in 1979 with my Mazagon Dock batchmates.
Better heed Vijay Merchants advice, “ Leave the sport when spectators ask why and not when they ask when?”.Akin to other sports,"Horse-racing" as a “PUNTER” has no retirement age and I wouldn’t want to be buried in the hall of bankrupt gamblers but rather quit the sport with recoverable losses and remain a spectator.I myself have tried to beat the “Bookie and Tote” monopoly by means of “Scientific handicapping” and was initially successful but as is the tragic case of punters I played continuously at various “Off-course betting races” and hence the “Law of Averages” as well as “Law of crooked racing” bankrupted my “HORSE-RACING BUDGET”, losing Rs 80,000 in a span of 2 months , Rs 40,000 in 2 days in june 2007 at the Bangalore race-course and Rs 44,00 on “Super Sunday 25-11-07” that finally broke my back.
Well, I finally have got rid of my addiction without “Professional medical help” inspite of having sufficient money to gambol, henceforth I’ll just be a spectator and now try to break my “Derby Jinx” on the “Indian Derby-2008”.
CHEATED BY A MAHALAXMI BOOKIE IN THE 10% BETTING TAX "WORD OF MOUTH BETTING"
“ FINANCIALLY KILLED IN A RACE-COURSE ENCOUNTER ON 1-3- 2008(SATURDAY) by the “BOOKIE LOBBY” “- I have lost Rs 40,000 in a single day on 25-11-07( Black Sunday) yet didn’t “WELSH” but today on 1-3-2008(Saturday) in Off-Course betting on Hyderabad races the bookie’s “LACHMAN RAJ” refused to honour my bet of Rs 10000 played at 10% tax on horse “Oasis Star” for place at 30/100 (Rs 11,000). The horse came first and after having a beer at the club bar and also betting Rs 4000 at tote on the same horse I went to collect my “Unofficial 10% tax bet” from “Lachman raj” and to my horror he denied ever receiving a cash bet from me. Of all the accusations against me even my worst enemies would never consider me “COMMUNAL” and hence my bookies have been from various religions and cultural background. I have never invested in a company or bet on a horse based on “communal” bias, thanks to my education and merchant-navy background besides my individual overseas travels to country’s of different nationalities and cultures. Of course I am biased towards “ENGLISH SPEAKING” individuals since I am more comfortable in that language but never on caste, creed, religion or colour. I have had African , European and Asian girlfriends as well as male friends and its only recently that I have been leading a “Cellular Existence” with least mingling among humans.
I lost my balls and abused him in the ring, a real tamasha developed for he didn’t realize that at times I can be violent which shocked him and the race-course crowd enjoying a real life genuine movie at Rs 11,000.
We both were on our way to the police and he a real gentleman from looks must have realized his own deficiencies and told me that I must have bet with some other bookie, an insult on my “Photographic Memory’ and attendance at the race-course both as a fan and punter since 1979. The argument developed into a massive one-sided affair with me a lone punter against the might of the entire “Bookie Lobby”. He then shifted the topic saying that I must have bet with “Mayur”, my common bookie who has also cheated me but never “WELSHED” akin to bookie “Vinayak” who a year or two ago “Welshed” on a bet of Rs 2000 by saying I bet on another horse which didn’t place. Trouble, with me is that I didn’t read the writing on the wall that the “Bookie” or “Owner” lobby disliked my presence in the race-course, reasons best known to them, since in “Race-course economics” I am a petty “MUG” hence I feel my “LITERATURE” in the blogs must have got someone’s balls, hence a plan to financially kill me in the race-course . Among all the Bookie’s in the race-course according to me “Lachman Raj” and “Farishah” seem educated and gentlemen who would honour their bets unlike “Mayur” or “Manish” who are typical “Bhendi Bazaar type stereotype filmy characters”, the Ill educated Muslim prone to violence, hence his “Welshing” baffles me , since Rs 11000 is “Chicken feed” in his “DAILY TURNOVER” of “BETTING”, both, in 10% and 26% tax. In fact I was always suspiciously aware of “Mayur” and “Manish” since I placed big bets with them, Rs 22,000 max many a times and they never welshed, neither could I when I lost (Eg Rs 40,000 on 25-11-07), since i always bet in "CASH" and not on "CREDIT" as do many of the "Crorepati Punters", who, then sometimes Welsh with the "Bookie" which is the topic of most "Mafia and Filmi Ishtyle movies". “Mayur” hated me whenever I collected money, a typical “Bookie’s” sign language, but I never expected the same from gentleman “Lachman Raj” who had none of the “Shiv Sena or Raj Narvin sena” foot soldiers attitude, and I sincerely hope he didn’t mistake me for a “BHAIYA” or still earlier “A Madrassi” for I have witnessed both riots in my life-time. As in fictional crime, exterior looks can be deceptive and Sherlock Holmes was the first to emphasize the same and it applies to Messrs “Lachman Raj” and I stand by my word, even willing to be taken to court , for as a writer I believe in being honest and unbiased even in defeat or shame or financial losses. I have totally lost approx Rs 6,50,000 since 1990 when I began serious “Hard-core betting” and it’s the first time that a “Bookie” has refused to acknowledge my bet, let alone the lesser lie to claim a “Wrong Horse” was played as done by “Vinayak” for Rs 2000, the first instance of myself being “WELSHED” by a Bookie.
Ultimately “CORRUPTION” is “KING” and although “Lachman Raj” will continue as normal as “Sun-rise and Sunset” since I was also corrupt by betting at 10% tax ,besides, as a common punter a person is a a drop in the ocean at the race-course in “Punting Economics”. My encounter of words and logic would definitely make him think as also the “Bookie” or “Unknown Lobby’s”.
He didn’t realize that he was having a debate with a hard-core educated self-made honest punter and I am sure he would be a worried man since he and Messrs. “Mayur”, >“Vinayak” , “Manish” and 90% of “Bookie’s” are more corrupt than meets the eye with the “TAKE” being massive . Poor fellow “Ram & Ram” was the only “ 10% coded Bookie” to have been raided by the “Intelligence authorities” in the 1990’s which later I came to understand was because of "Political Vendetta” since he was a very successful “Bookie” akin to “Messrs Sheriyar” who suddenly quit the sport for reasons as mysterious as the “Bermuda Triangle”. To date not a single “Bookie” has ever been “RAIDED” for “Coded or 10% bets” but this “SECRET” is as common amongst “Race-Goers” and “Corruption Squad” as reading the daily newspapers.
No wonder “CRICKET BETTING” is not being legalized and neither is “Horse-racing” betting tax reduced to avoid people like me playing at 10% taxes simply because a lot of “HOT MONEY” is changing hands. Got me Bookie, never fuck with the “EDUCATED CLASS” especially the “SELF-EDUCATED”, since money is always lost and won but deeds, both written and learnt are part of human living until death.

Midday obituary on Robinkumar.Bose.

A bankrupt former film producer who at one time in his hey days was a close friend of late singer/actor Kishore Kumar and also considered his duplicate conned me off Rs 6000, taking me on for a real ride. Late Mr Robin.Kumar.Bose was a regular at the race-course and befriended me, flattering me about the film Industry and his contacts, also claiming to have produced a Hindi  film  "Aaag aur Toofan" with Mumtaz as a heroine,which was true, a former film actor and producer who had fallen onto bad times financially.Fame and wealth can be fickle and life is repeat of story's of rags to riches and riches to rags, a cyclical evolution .

The  visiting card of Mr Robinkumar.Bose.

Once, he asked me for a loan of Rs 6000 saying that he wanted to get his phone connection reconnected and was on the verge of recovering his losses after getting back into the film business and as usual i became the perfect sucker for his con game. I gave him the money through a bank cheque as proof and then after receiving the same he just refused to pay me, even on repeated reminders. Finally i ignored the matter totally as i realized that gentleman ex-producer Mr Robin.Kumar had pulled a fast Hindi film con on me, and akin to lengthy court cases there was no sense in pestering him at the race-course to repay me. I totally forgot about the matter and continued with my horse race attendances though after a few months i observed that Ex Film Producer Mr Robinkumar. Bose was missing at the horse races in Mahalaxmi, a place he regularly frequented , although he never bet more than Rs 10, just a spectator waiting to get the next "Bakra" after Mr Rudolph.A.Furtado. Once, i just happened to purchase the "Mid-Day newspaper(10/9/2005)" and to my utter surprise  read about the demise of Mr Robin.Kumar whom the paper described as a small time producer and duplicate of Kishore Kumar ,also mentioning his surviving family members but avoided mentioning his "Con Acts". I have preserved this newspaper cutting with me which i have attached , strange providence that on this particular day while returning from my daily routine swimming exercise happened to purchase a particular newspaper which had a death obituary on a person who conned me.During the late 1990's top English races like the " Epsom Derby" and the " Grand National" was telecast " LIVE" at the Mahalaxmi racecourse "Members Enclosure"  in Mumbai.Those were the heady days of Mr Vijay.Mallya,Dr Cyrus.Poonawalla  and late Dr M.A.M. Ramaswamy as horse owners and sponsors when horse racing at Mahalaxmi racecourse was at its zenith in the modern era post the pre-Independence " Maharajah Era" of horse racing. On one occasion after watching the 1999 'Martell Grand National " live at the Mahalaxmi racecourse , Mr Robinkumar and self had a beer at "Gallops" where we met jockey Mark.Gallagher who in 1997 had escaped a assassination attempt with  3 bullets  being fired at him at the Bangalore racecourse while on his regular morning workouts  , probably from a punter who lost a fortune. Later from "Gallops" headed down to South Mumbai and painted the town red that night upto early morning hours. That particular day is as fresh as yesterday in my memory bank although it happened decades ago in 1999, unforgettable. He was excellent company and hilarious , akin to his household name friend,  Hindi playback singer kishore Kumar  on screen and although we had a big age difference got along well. Ahoy !Sad that he turned out to be a trickster con later conning me off Rs 6000 .I have mentioned Mr Robin.Kumar by name for the simple reason that there are numerous respectable people who con others on their sheer credentials, akin to receiving "Bounced Cheques", the most common "White-Collar" con amongst the ex-glitterati and glitterati. Industrialist Vijay.Mallya who was once the heartthrob of Glitterati and the Who's who of Indian society  is today in 2022 an absconder Industrialist. Life and Wealth is totally unpredictable. Thanks to all these con tricks done at my cost that i have become a more cautious person, never trusting anyone on "FACE VALUE" or "CREDENTIALS". "White Collar Criminals or Cheats" never advertise themselves akin to "Stereotype Filmi criminal images" portrayed in films and media and get away with it most of the times, with either fines, court cases or rarely if convicted, a short stay in prison. Imagine a "Pick pocketer" caught in a crowded train or bus in Mumbai, if the person escapes being lynched by an irate public then that could be the least punishment. Thats the difference between "White collar crime" and "Blue Collar Crime"! One Management study i learnt at the racecourse and horse speculation is, quote, "NEVER EVER LOSE YOUR CREDIBILITY IN THE MONEY MARKET OR YOU ARE A HAS BEEN IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS".

Finally on the “DOCTORS ADVICE” forced to quit “Horse-racing” on 16-3-08(Sunday) before a “HEART-ATTACK” would as the losses have been enough to enter me into the “Limca’s Book of Records” for a “Highest losses in horse-racing by a Working Class Indian”. Lost approx Rs 48,000 in a month coinciding with my age and I wouldn’t like to emulate boxer Mike Tyson or late speculator Harshad Mehta in an “M.B.A Thesis" of “Bankruptcy chapter 11” case-study’s of “Rags to Riches Story’s”. I was born into a “MIDDLE-CLASS” family , lived a “Middle-Class life” and hope to die “ULTRA RICH”, the typical “CAPITALISTS DREAM” rather than “MIDDLE-CLASS” or “POOR”. As the Bhagwad Gita says “We all have to die some day, when some-one else dies, pretend nothing has happened and continue with your life”, yes, I have died numerous deaths in “Horse-racing” and most recently handed over the baton honestly to my replacement, before again re-entering the "Betting Ring"! Recent "Last Bet" was Rs 17,000 at “FIXED ODDS” on the “TOTE” on second fav “ARKTOUROS” owned by Industrialist Deepak Khaitan and ridden by jockey Christopher Alford, a “God fearing jockey” who is as dishonest as 90% of all jockeys are, irrespective of CASTE,CREED or COLOUR and his track record is proof before my readers label me “LOSER”. “Arktouros” was ridden to lose and having already lost approx Rs 45,00,000 in “Paper Assets” in the “Stock Market”, this loss doesn’t bother me since jockey B.Prakash(God Fearing jockey) and owner Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy have taken me for the “Biggest rides” and thank god I am alive to write my opinions.
What worries me is, after “HORSE-RACING” what?

At 48 years , I am too young to just sit at home and browse the internet or read books besides “SPECULATION” runs in my veins, hence its perplexing and today 16-3-08 I am in “MOURNING” having lost my “SECOND PROFESSION,HORSE-RACING SPECULATION”.
With the type of Stress and strain I live with, old age of 80’s akin to my dad seems non-existent, hence my future living requires thoughtful study. The Cantonese movie “Eye in the Sky” and the Hindi movie “Zinda” minus the “DEAD BODIES” seem to have been borrowed from my personal life in the sense that I have been under constant “SURVEILLANCE” and my enemy or enemies don’t want me dead neither happy as I may be a “MEAL TICKET” to them alive rather than dead or happy! FACT IS STRANGER THAN FICTIONAL MOVIES. Happiness is based on an individuals thoughts and living and inspite of all the problems and mud-slinging in my life, don’t I still look handsome?Flamboyant industrialist and horse owner Vijay Mallya when once asked by the media that his industry of “Alcohol beverages” actually does unwittingly kill people, his reply was simple, >“Anything done in excess in life is detrimental to health” and the same applies to the passionate sport of “Horse-racing”. Just because i have been cheated and also having personally lost lakhs of rupees in "horse-Racing" has definitely not made me critical of the sport since i have some wonderful memories at the race-tracks, besides, it was a source of "Self-entrepreneurship employment", although a financial loser during the worst phases of my personal life in the 1990's.Ultimately, spending money at the "Race-Tracks" was better investment than visiting a "Psychiatrist", thats the way i accept my "Race-Course Losses", taking the positive aspect of the sport. I restarted my betting on horse-races in 2009 and have again quit after losing Rs 17,000 on Wednesday(17-6-2009) on the Mysore Races in "Off-Course Betting" at Mahalaxmi race-course, sheer bad-luck.GAMBOLLING DE-ADDICTION COURSE:- People don’t consider “Gamboling” an addiction unlike “ALCOHOLISM’ or “DRUG ADDICTION” although its considered a vice, hence there is no “PUBLICITY” a “LA SANJAY DUTT for “DRUG DE-ADDICTION” to a “PATHOLOGICAL GAMBOLLERS” a “ LA LATE COMEDIAN MEHMOOD OR RUDOLPH FURTADO?” for “GAMBOLLING DE-ADDICTION”.
Among the “SALARIED CLASS” I might definitely hold a record for gamboling huge sums of money, something which even Industrialists would think twice; hence I realized that I had developed from a “Horse-racing fan” into a “HARDCORE GAMBOLLING ADDICT”. I have never been near or ever tried “Drugs” hence wouldn’t know the meaning of “Drug Withdrawal systems” but childhood friend BIJU had undergone the “Drug trip and reformed a la Sanjay Dutt” and his account with a discounted exaggeration factor was really frightening.
Losing Rs 40,000 in 2 days, Rs 23,000 a day and regular win and losses of Rs 10,000 a day of late has become a common occurrence with me and worse , “GAMBLERS ANNONYMOUS” doesn’t exist in India, so it is either self healing or perish into poverty.
Previously I had a steady job to balance my petty gamboling losses since I never visited the race-course regularly ,neither, did I bet heavily akin to“Margin Share day trading”.Remember, Billionaire Harshad.Mehta didn't become bankrupt betting on horses but by betting on the "Stock Exchange".
I HAVE SURVIVED 9 MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN 3 YEARS ,RS 1,80,000 HORSE-RACING LOSSES IN 2006/07, 2 HOSPITALIZATIONS IN 2 YEARS (Rs 2,00,000 EXPENSES [INSURANCE]) AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST , DAD’S MENTAL IMBALANCE THAT UPSETS THE WHOLE HOUSE-HOLD INCLUDING OUR HOUSE-KEEPER SABINA DIAS.
I SHOULD SURVIVE MY TOUGHEST TEST “GAMBOLLIND DE-ADDICTION”.
ONE VERY POSITIVE ASPECT OF MY PERSONALITY IS THAT I HAVE NEVER BECOME ADDICTED TO ANY PLEASURE OR VICE AND THE SAME SHOULD APPLY TO GAMBOLING ON RACE-HORSES. I MIGHT TRY OTHER FORMS OF LEGAL GAMBOLING LIKE “CRICKET”, “SOCCER”, “BOXING” OR “DERBY’S” IN FOREIGN COUNTRY’S SINCE THE SAME IS NOT POSSIBLE IN INDIA. I now keep track of the races from the internet blogs and newspaper write-ups for as the saying goes "A punter forever"! Later on "SELF-INTROSPECTION" i realized that if not for my "GAMBOLLER INSTINCT" then i would never have become a "SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE" in the "STOCK MARKETS".Hence i began my "Race-Course Attendance" at the fag end of 2009 and hope as rapper "50 Cent" said, "BECOME RICH OR DIE TRYN!"Most of my photographs taken in race-courses all over India, especially "Mahalaxmi(Mumbai)" have been submitted to "Wikemedia commons", besides i have also contributed to the creation of a brief history of the "Mahalaxmi Racecourse" in Mumbai on "Wikipedia" and the same can be read on the "Search Engines".
Will i get a honorary for my contribution to "Horse-racing", besides, also trying to make the sport less corrupt by projecting my own personal "Guinea pig" experiences as a "Common Punter" through this blog? Ultimately, thanks to "Horse-racing", i still feel the enthusiasm of a "STUDENT" when studying horse form and history, something that keeps the mind and heart active.
Enjoy Horse-racing as a sport:- Attended the "Pune Derby" on Sunday(11-10-2009) at the Mahalaxmi race-course after months of quitting "Hard core betting" and had an enjoyable day with no heavy gambling but just a beer and observing the races on "C.C.T.V" at the restaurant. The thrill of "Horse-racing" is that every 1/2 hour there is a suspense of fortunes, unlike other sports, hence its popularity despite the majority of punters understanding its win:lose economics ratio. Once while watching the television documentary "Jockeys" on "Animal planet" ,i was surprised to hear one of the women jockeys say that "Horse-racing is a better high than sex". Ultimately this is what sums up the hypnotic sport of "Horse-racing", sheer thrills and monetary suspence.
"THE LONGEST HORSE-RACE COURT INQUIRY"- On Saturday(9-1-2010) at "Off-Course Betting" at "Mahalaxmi race-course" i had bet Rs 6000 for "Place" on "Man United" in the last race of the day at Bangalore, "The Kitty Bank Plate".The horse came first and thrilled me, but, later an objection by jockey Samuel.Fargeat of the third placed horse "Powerful Dreams" against jockey Y.S.Srinath of the winner "Man United" created the longest "HORSE-RACE SUSPENCE" amongst punters. The race was repeatedly replayed on "C.C T.V" with some hard-core punter again betting on the outcome of the resultant decision of the "Stewards Inquiry"!If "Man United" were to be disqualified , i was to lose a total of Rs 8600 as this was my "GO FOR BROKE BET", a recovery to losses suffered in previous races of the day, akin to "STOCK EXCHANGE DAY-TRADING".Finally, after almost half an hour of debating in the "Stewards Inquiry room" which was relayed in Mumbai, a decision was arrived by the "RACE-COURSE JURY" and the "OBJECTION" was "UPHELD".It was a shock to race-goers as "Man United" had won by a length and a half, besides"Powefuldreams" was the third placed horse and not the "Runner-up".Finally, the results were displayed and second placed "Gampu", a bizarre fluke was placed "First", "Powerfuldreams" placed "Second" and poor "Man United" placed "Third". Luckily, i got my "Place Money" and was a happy punter for the day, but, i sympathize with punters who played for "Win" on "Man United", the favourite, only to see their dreams being ruined by a simple offense in the "Dog-Eat-Dog world" of "Horse-Racing".No wonder Gamblers, especially "Horse race punters" are very level headed businessmen or businesswomen with very strong hearts as the sport is totally unpredictable till the last verdict.On Saturday(9-1-2010) i genuinely experienced the "Roller-Coaster ride" of "Horse-racing" although i have been in the sport since 1979! In Horse-racing one always keeps learning at every race meet and this is what has made the sport exciting and relevant in the modern era of "Internet and Casino Gamboling".The fluke win of "Gampu" can be estimated by "Non-Horse racing followers" through the "DIVIDEND PAYOUT" which is a "Lottery winner"."Gampu" paid Rs 2,492 for 'WIN" on a "Rs Ten ticket" and Rs 305 for "place", one of the largest dividend payouts that i have witnessed in my 31 year "Horse-racing career". All this "Lottery Windfall" happened for a simple objection lodged by the "Second Favourite" against "The Favourite" with "FLUKE" horse "Gampu" being a "Silent spectator Winner!". From this personal episode in horse-racing i learnt one important "TIME MANAGEMENT LAW" that states, "In Life , certain events or occurrences are always beyond your personal or human control and just happens to be a factor called "LUCK".". Gelding "Gumpu" may never ever win a race again in its racing career but it definitely set the racing World into "Lottery Mode" making a few millionaires and numerous paupers. "DOESN'T EVERY HORSE HAVE ITS DAY!?"
"Bookie's Coterie" again threatened me indirectly by refusing to pay a bet of Rs 1000 on "Place" for "Delight of Asia" on Bangalore races held on Friday(26-2-2010).The Bookie was "Farishah" a person with whom i have bet a maximum of Rs 20,000/race during my "Gambling High days" and he never "Welshed", hence welshing on just Rs 1000 sends a "Deep coded message". My presence in Mahalaxmi race-course during horse-races seems to be troubling someone or a group of people since even by India's "Rich/poor ratio" standards, i am still a very small punter as far as "Betting" is concerned. Why do the "Bookie's" hate me? Is it because of my "Handicapping skills" although i am a loser? On Sunday(28-2-2010) at "The Poonawalla's Breeders Million" race day i correctly predicted a "Permutation combibation" in "The Intervale (India) Ltd Trophy" and the "BCA India-Australia cup" horse races. The few correct entries were then put into a "Lucky Raffle box" and thats where i lost winning a "Maruti Suzuki Ritz car".This was not the only occasion, but there were at least 2 previous instances where i lost in the final "Common Lottery system" at the race-course. The memory of losing a "JACKPOT" years ago in the last race of the day when "Great Pasha" ridden by the great Indian jockey Pessi.Shroff, now a successful trainer, came second will forever be etched in my memory.Thats the luck and beauty of "Horse-racing" which ultimately makes a person an "ADDICT".But, ultimately, if not a punter then what am i?Keep playing!

HOW I FINALLY QUIT THE ADDICTION OF "GAMBLING" ON "HORSE-RACING:- I had been for a "European Tour" with "Thomas Cook(I) Ltd" tour group and later extended my overseas tour in London.In total it was a 17 day tour, visiting most "capital City's" of Europe, same documented in my blogs which are a good guide to "Backpacker budget tourists". After my return from London on Wednesday(2-6-2010) i was a totally changed man as far as my addiction with "Horse-racing" was concerned, overnight i quit my "Addictive Betting". Reasons could be many, most important being the 20% increase in "Betting Tax" at the "Mahalaxmi racecourse" that made betting on the "Tote" a guaranteed "Losers game" to any "addictive punter" playing "Non-stop" for a season let alone decades like myself.Another reason was my exposure to the "Legalized Betting shops" in London and the fact that majority of Londoners were disciplined responsible gamblers, otherwise England would cease to be a "First world country", drowned in its excesses of public legalized gambling. I decided to stop speculation on "Horse-racing" and concentrate only on "Stock Investments", something in which i excelled, definitely not a loser. I am still involved in "Horse-racing" but only as a passive spectator over the "Internet" and television". Hope my personal experiences with 'addictive Gambling" and its cure could be of some health to other addictive gamblers. In 2010 ,after returning to Mumbai from my tour of Europe which included a weeks stay in London began my speculation on "Horse-racing" in a responsible manner and not as an "ADDICT".Treat "Horse-racing Betting" akin to "Day-trading" on the stock-exchange keeping in mind the "Loss-Margin" to avoid bankruptcy.
"CATASTROPHIC MAY -2011"- After taming my irresponsible gamboling addiction, post "Europe Tour", i again fell into the "Bettors Trap" in the month of May-2011, losing all my previous "accumulated wins" of the Mumbai racing season-2010/11.
The road to disaster began by losing at "Off-Course Betting" on the Delhi races on Tuesday(3-5-2011) on two odds/Onn favourites.Lost Rs 1000 on "Show On" @ 27/100 odds, the horse placing "Second"
, comfortably beaten by "Master Dartagnan" at mind-boggling odds. Next, i lost Rs 2200 playing "Happy Go Lucky" @ 90/100, the horse placing "Second" and the race won by the second favourite "Little Cut".Hence, i returned with a loss of Rs 3200 from the Delhi races.
As mentioned before, the "Bangalore Race-course" was my second home during my stays in Bangalore , prior to selling my residence , "Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore in 2009.I always have an "addiction" for betting heavily during the Bangalore and Mumbai racing season and the same "Addiction" reoccurred on the opening day of the Bangalore horse-racing season on Saturday(14-5-2011).
A repetition of the "Delhi Jinx" inaugurated my opening bet, losing Rs 1000 on the pipping hot favourite "Lad King" @ Odds 27/100!I was dumbfounded by these bizarre consecutive monetary losses on 2 of the most heavily bet horses in recent horse-racing memory at "Mahalaxmi Race-course"!
I returned home and again attended the "Off-Course Betting" on the second day of the Bangalore races on Sunday(15-5-2011).
Began the day betting Rs5500 on "Dance N Celebrate" @ 90/100 for place,in a field of 9 horses. The horse ran disastrously, finishing in the ruck and my Rs 5500 investment going down the drain.After this disastrous "BIG BETTING LOSS" , the "Gambollers Curse" befell my "Betting strategy" and i doubled my bets in order to recover my previous losses.
next, i bet Rs 11000 on the "FAVOURITE" >"Crown Empress" for "Win" @ 11/10, the horse finishing "SECOND" to the second -favourite "Accurate".Hence i lost a total of approx Rs 22,000 in just 4 days of betting, a combination of bizarre bad-luck and reckless gamboling addiction betting.
My "Gamboling Budget" for 2011 has been "Bankrupted" and henceforth would just be a spectator to the sports of "Kings and Queens".Awaiting the "Mumbai Horse-racing season" beginning in November-2011 since i realised that "Paddock Study" of "Horse-language" is a key ingredient between being a "WINNER" or a "LOSER" at the races.2011 has proved a disastrous year for me with my gamboling addiction reoccurring after a brief lull , akin to an alcoholic taking to binge drinking after a brief lull.I had planned to go on a one month tour of North India and Nepal in October 2011. Providence made me postpone the trip to November and hence in my free-time i returned to speculative horse-racing.Lost Rs 14000 on Friday(21-10-2011) on the Pune races, upsetting my entire "North India/Nepal Budget" savings.
"Rs  54,000 losses in Horse-racing upto September-2012 in 2012?":-.Confessions of a gambleholic":- I AM ON "FINANCIAL LIFE SUPPORT" ON DRIPS FROM THE "STOCK EXCHANGE" AFTER SUFFERING HEAVY FINANCIAL LOSSES ON THE "HORSE-RACING STOCK EXCHANGE" on  two consecutive days, losing Rs 22,000 and a total of Rs 54,000 upto September 2012.My entire Sri Lanka tour budget  of October-2012 had to be readjusted  due to these heavy losses.

 "ELEMENTARY WATSON. DIDN'T I SAY THAT GAMBLING WAS BAD FOR HEALTH" HISTORY IS LITTERED WITH GAMBLING CASUALTIES AND YOU ARE JUST A DROP IN THE OCEAN IN THE WORLD OF GAMBLING.WILL HAVE TO PAY HEED TO THE ETERNAL DETECTIVE SHERLOCK.HOLMES ADVICE AND QUIT "HORSE-RACE" GAMBLING TO AVOID FUTURE PENURY AND DISTRESS.

 The funniest habit of a pathological gambler like me is that i lead a very frugal personal life, saving my monthly budget for "Horse-Racing Speculation" and at times losing the entire amount in a single day! My only vice at present is "Pathological Horse-racing speculation" in which i am a loser, the same balanced by my stock market investments.One thing i realized,"Horse-racing", as a hobby betting sport within an allotted "Win or Lose" betting budget per year is a great form of relaxation and mental stimulation. No doubt Billionaires, geniuses , paupers  and solitary individuals are attracted  towards this sport, .All of us humans have some "Addictive Poisons" in our life, rich or poor. My "Poison" as a "Solitary Bachelor" is "Horse-racing speculation" .TOUCHE! TOPI?

Large Television screens in the "BETTING RING".Lakhs or Crores of rupees won or lost in a Single race.

Most Bizarre 4 horse race seen in my life(Friday 3-9-2014) :-  "Once a gambler always a gambler but with age a "Winning Gambler" ! I now visit the race-course as a "pass-time" to exercise my speculative skills and stock market  business decisions and not with the intention of becoming a billionaire from the sport.On Friday(3-9-2014) which also happened to be Dussehra festival witnessed the most bizarre horse race in my life. There were only 4 horses running in the 2400 meters "VERSAKI TROPHY"  being run at Pune with filly "Exactly" being the hot favourite @ 55/100. Only one bookie was offering miserly 25/100 on a place bet for "Exactly" and hence played the bet to recover my ticket and petrol money on a "Sure shot place bet".Everything was normal, the horses arriving at the "Starting Stalls" and ready to run once the gates opened. When the gates opened  racing punters got the shock of their life when jockey C.S.Jodha fell over the neck of his horse "Exactly" and with it ruining the hopes of majority of the punters as well as lakhs or crores of betting money.Everyone thought that he had purposely jumped from his horse as it was too bizarre for a favorite horse to lose a race in this manner, something i witnessed for the first time  after decades of racing experience.The race was won by the second Favourite horse "Square Moon" at lavish odds.The entire racing crowd was waiting to observe the replay of the race on television hoping that the race would be declared null and void if any foul play was involved.The replay proved that the fall was accidental and not intentional as presumed by one and all including me.Just as the gates opened , the filly "Exactly" dipped her head down thereby dislodging the jockey from the saddle.It was a genuine horse-fall and not a intentional fall.That this happened on the most pipping hot favourite of the day is a matter of debate among soothsayers and Godmen.This race proved the fact that in horse-racing nothing is sure until the winning horse passes the "Winning post".At least a few crore of rupees of punters money must have gone down the drain the moment "Exactly" dislodged her rider.This is what makes horse racing relevant among gambling sports, the suspense of the race.
BAD LUCK HORSE RACE  LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE ? :- On Saturday(4-9-2014) went again for off-course betting on the Pune races  on Mahalaxmi racecourse. There was heavy police patrol and the entire parking lot filled with chairs.For the first time in the racecourse over hundred year history a Prime Minister would be giving a election campaign speech on its complex. Prime Minister Narendra.Modi would be campaigning for the "B.J.P(Bharatiya Janata Party)"  and a few days ago  prior to this the "Shiv Sena Party" had also had its election campaign on this hallowed turf .Entered the racecourse and bet Rs 1000 for place @40/100  on the favourite "Plated" ridden by yesterday's  bad luck  namesake jockey " T.S.Jodha" . Could a "JODHA" namesake  be jinxed on 2 simultaneous days ? Even the most pathetic soothsayer would say NO ! It was the first race of the day  the "Ashwamedha Plate" for the lowest rated horses(Class V 1-26 rating) which i nicknamed "Gadha horses(Donkey horses)".It was a 5 horse race and since the "Gadha Favourite" had a respectable track record decided to bet it for "PLACE".These races are usually "FIXED" as the form of these horses is pathetic, the worst backbenchers in the horse class. "Insiders" akin to "Insider trading in shares" recover their entire "Gadha Investment" on a single race in these type of races as the odds even for "Place money" could be high ,let alone a  win! ITS AKIN TO INSIDER TRADING IN THE STOCKMARKET. As suspected the race was won by a totally unfancied horse named "Zaan" @ 10/1 with a place money of 2/1 ridden by a totally unfancied jockey Mudassar.Nazar! My horse placed 2nd and i was happy of recovering my "Mobike petrol money & entrance ticket" on the small profit.To my astonishment a objection was raised by the 3rd placed horse "Nazraana" against  "Plated" for interference and the same upheld in the "Racecourse Court of Law". Lost a total of Rs 1100 and what fascinated my superstitious observation was the "JODHA JINX" and the "FAVOURITE JINX". On both consecutive days the favourites lost controversially, the first favourite through a jockey  mishap and the second due to a jockey error in riding.Just walked out of the racecourse after watching the second race where the favourite won.Exiting the racecourse on motorbike was the biggest hurdle as all the gates were closed due to the election rally and finally did manage to convince the police officers to create a exit for motorists. I personally feel the days of the "Mahalaxmi racecourse" in its present locality are numbered as there are plans to shift it  and convert the racecourse into a park .The Election rally's are a clue that politicians have realized its intrinsic value  and the pathetic treatment  given to regular honest racegoers proves that the management is not bothered of the punters comforts.Why was a gate not left open for "RACEGOERS" when a entrance ticket of Rs 30 is charged from the common  punters  ? WE RACECOURSE PUNTERS ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST TAXPAYERS  IN INDIA. I GAMBLE LEGALLY PAYING TAX ON EVERY RACE I WAGER AS DO OTHER PUNTERS AND YET  WE RACECOURSE PUNTERS ARE  OUTCASTS ON OUR OWN TURF ? I had to initially try to get out of the gate like a criminal with the main gate locked and trying to squeeze my bike through the gates with the platoon of cops guiding me !

The common man on the street  and the average middle-class Indian doesn't care about horse-racing considering it elitist and a vice.Hence if the regional political party "Shiv Sena" comes to power i am sure the racecourse would disappear from its present location by 2019 as they have always raised the issue of relocating the Mahalaxmi racecourse, even submitting a "Blueprint" for its redevelopment as a park.Strangely, even a elite  nature conservation  society like the "Bombay Natural history society" considers the 225 acres "Mahalaxmi racecourse" as a elite  park akin to Golf courses.This  statement was quoted by its Director Dr  Asad .R. Rahmani in the society publication "Hornbill(July-Sept 2014 edition)" with a suggestion to turn the racecourse  into a public ground akin to New  York's "Central park".As a member of "B.N.H.S(Bombay Natural history society)" i feel sad at the ignorance of wild-life  activist Dr Asad.R.Rahmani regarding the topography and usage of the "Mahalaxmi racecourse" in Mumbai. During monsoon the race-course ground is a "Birders paradise" and lush green, a oasis in a sea of  concrete jungle .The public is allowed entry into the racecourse grounds in the morning and evenings after the horse races akin to any common park in Mumbai. As regarding its elite status i should say it is no different than the numerous elite "PRIVATE CLUBS" that dot Mumbai, including "Golf Clubs" and they all occupy precious "REAL ESTATE PROPERTY" in prime Mumbai! WHY  SINGLE OUT ONLY THE MAHALAXMI RACECOURSE ? No Mumbaikar would shed tears if the racecourse was shifted barring the ultra wealthy who use it as their private playground and hardcore addict punters like yours truly who have grown old in this racecourse. I would weep the day  legislation is passed to translocate this historic and beautiful  forest oasis from Central Mumbai into the distant suburbs.Till that day arrives i can afford to allot a section of my income for "Racecourse expenses" copying the "Michael Jackson" logic of being a millionaire and living like a billionaire. HA HA HA HEE HEE HEE ?

"Indian Derby-2015" in the "First Enclosure"
wearing my "Moroccan Hat".

Sunday(1-2-2015) " McDowell Signature Indian Derby -2015" :-  A golden lettered day in my racing career as a "PUNTER".During my  onn/off racing attendances at the Mahalaxmi racecourse since a young age of 19 years(1980) i have never ever won the "INDIAN DERBY RACE".2015 was the "SILVER JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY" since i first began my "PROFESSIONAL BETTING" career as a "PUNTER" in horse-racing all over India. Have visited all the racecourses in India barring the Delhi racecourse which was closed when i visited the city in 2011.During my racing career one  of the best horses that dazzled the racetrack was "Elusive Pimpernel" and after a gap of over a decade another horse named "BE SAFE" alerted my horse-racing intelligence in 2014/15, a favorite for the "Indian Derby". My only fear was the fact that the horse was owned by racing baron M.A.M . Ramaswamy , a billionaire aristocrat  feared by bookies as well as common punters for inventing the "DOOSRA" sequence in horse-racing, now a common feature among many owners in different race centres. "Be Safe" was trained by former jockey Mallesh.Narredu who himself was very successful as a jockey in the 1990's and early 2000 winning a string of "Pune Derby races".Today in 2015 the great horse owner Dr M.A.M Ramaswamy  is sadly suffering from the after-effects of "Old Age" and confined  to his palatial  residence . Racegoers and punters of the 2007 Indian derby will never ever forget the race when hot piping favourite "Southern Empire @ 35/100 odds" lost to its stablemate "Diabolical" a total unfancied horse .Both horses were owned by the racing Baron.In horse-racing owners do manipulate their horses in inconsequential races at times to get better odds but this was a first instance when a "DOOSRA" became a fact and not just horse-racing gossip in the most prestigious race of the Indian turf, the "McDowell Indian Derby -2007".Strangely , in 2015 akin to 2007 another horse of the Baron  named "Bold Majesty" was entered in the Derby, paying a late entry fee of Rs 10 lakhs! Fictional  bestselling horse racing writer lete  Dick.Francis   would  also have suspected some twist in this strange late entry of a stable companion  competing with the hot favourite for the coveted "Indian derby" crown. Derby contender "Be Safe" had also run in the "Ruia Cup" and had won the same comfortably revoking the "Ruia Cup Jinx" to superstitious punters. In the 21st century  a horse that won the "RUIA CUP" never won the Indian Derby which included household names like "Southern Empire" and "Set Alight". As for me  i had gone overboard blogging about "BE SAFE" being a favourite and surety for "Indian Derby-2015" also explaining the slim chances and reasons if it did not win. Come Sunday(1-2-2015) and i was at the " First Enclosure" in  normal attire with a "Moroccan hat" and a "Heirloom gold chain( Maharajah of patiala style)". I had  avoided the "Members Enclosure" as the bands and singers performing in the air-conditioned hangar were familiar to me and not a surprise as in previous years, a "Been here, seen that, done that" of entertainment  fatigue. The glamour factor seemed subdued in the "First enclosure" on Saturday with the "McDowell Cocktail Drinks" counter absent for the first time in recent years. Also strangely some of the "Celebrity Foreign Jockeys" were missing on Derby day riding roster ,very uncommon in recent years.Seems the colossal failure  and bankruptcy of "Kingfisher Airlines" had taken the sheen of  sponsor Industrialist Mr Vijay.Mallya , the personality and billionaire behind the showmanship of "McDowell Indian Derby".In hindsight my decision of  witnessing "Indian Derby -2015" from the common "First Enclosure(Rs 50 Ticket)" rather than my usual "Members Enclosure(Rs 500 ticket)" proved a blessing in disguise.

View from 2nd floor of "First Enclosure  Stand".

                                                                        I got to view most of the pre-Derby races from the 2nd floor of the Grandstand normally closed on common race days since the last few years as it was converted to a plush restaurant.This was my normal "Adda" since i began visiting the racecourse  in the 1990's , one of the most beautiful locales in Mumbai city ! The crowd was house-full as Derby time of 1715 hrs approached and did "Bonny betting (Slang in Hindi for Inaugural betting)" on "Be Safe" when the "Betting Counter Odds" opened, very surprised that he was offered at lavish odds of 62/100. After placing my bet went to witness and videotape the paddock parade and was surprised at the odds on "Be Safe" dropping to 70/100 , clear indication that punters doubted his ability as well as feared the "Racing Baron". "Southern Empire"  debacle and  the year 2007 was still fresh in the minds of professional punters who lost fortunes.I admired "Be Safe" for its temperament, a horse totally at ease with the big occasion akin to a professional human athlete  preparing for the finals of a race.After the paddock parade went to the " 2nd floor grandstand Adda"  using the vintage lift and got a "Birds eye View" of the race with my binoculars , something not possible in the "Members enclosure" grandstand.

"BE SAFE" in the paddock parade with jockey Suraj.Narredu astride and trained by Mallesh.Narredu.

                        The Indian Derby 2400 meters  race began with the crowd roaring as usual and on entering the "Mahalaxmi Straight" it was "BE SAFE" that left his opponents resemble pace runner horses ! As for me i was cheering my first Indian derby winner hoarse , least embarrassed that at age 54 years i was behaving like the  teenager of 1979 ! "Be Safe" won the Indian Derby by 4 1/2 lengths  setting a new record  of  "2,27.71 secs " while  beating the old record  of 2.28.05 Secs set by "Alaindair" in 2014.Not only had i won my first Indian Derby  in my "Silver Jubilee" year of racecourse  betting but had also witnessed the running of one of the best horses to have graced the Indian turf. Seems the racing baron pulled a "Reverse Doosra" on the bookies confusing them with his late entry horse "Bold Majesty"  as also by his reputation of 2007.Sadly India does not have any best seller writers akin to British author Dick.Francis keen to write a thriller on "Indian horseracing" which at times resembled a fictitious  Hindi film . Went home a happy and contended man rather than a frustrated loser.
Sadly a month later "BE SAFE" lost a very controversial race in the "INVITATION CUP" held on Sunday(8-3-2015) at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai,It lost by a "Head" to its stablemate "Quasar"  ridden by  Yash.Narredu ,the son of  trainer Mallesh.Narredu, a race that will forever be remembered as a "Black Day'' in the annals of Indian horse racing.Luckily i was on a tour of South India and hence didn't lose a fortune betting on a unbeatable horse that was beaten in very controversial circumstances .There was a mini riot at the racecourse and the police had to intervene to restore law and order in the normally peaceful racecourse.Bizarrely the "SOUTHERN EMPIRE" episode of 2007  was repeated in 2015 in different circumstances and a different race.

23 tear old  Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the 27th Custodian of the House of Wadiyar presenting the "MAHARAJAH GOLD CUP (Gr 2)"

SUNDAY (5-7-2015). A DAY OF MOURNING IN MY HORSE-RACING  CAREER :- Hot favourite and considered a "Wonder horse" "BE SAFE" lost miserably in a race that shocked the  horse racing punters of India.It was the  "MAHARAJAHS GOLD CUP (Gr 11)" run at the Benguluru (Bangalore) racecourse.This was the first meeting between the two colts "Be Safe" and "Qasar" after the controversial win of "Qasar" over "Be Safe" by a "Neck" at  the "Invitation Cup" in Mumbai. This handsome colt that won the "Indian Derby-2015" in February ran like a ordinary horse today taking with it "Crores" of punters rupees and aspirations  down the drain.It was installed the "Hot Favourite" @ 40/100 paise  in a field of 7 horses with "Qasar" being the next favourite @ 3/1.As for me i felt i had attended a "Funeral" rather than a exciting horse race competition between the best horses of  India in 2015."Be Safe" just plodded towards the finish line coming a distant fourth !Such was my emotional loss on seeing the dismal performance of this colt that won me my first "Indian Derby" in my silver jubilee year of horse racing.I can recover from the heavy monetary loss but the emotional  loss will take me ages.It was akin to losing one of my pet cats or the death of my 22 year old Alexandrine parakeet "Mittoo" on whose memory  i have now devised a hit sports speculative game on Facebook titled "Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat".Congratulations to the winner Qasar that proved its win was no fluke .I have never ever seen such sudden abrupt improvement in a race-horse during my decades of horse racing attendances  as i have in "Qasar"."Be Safe" was ridden by jockey  A.Sandesh while "Qasar" was ridden by trainer Mallesh.Narredu's son Yash.Narredu .The "NARREDU FAMILY" stands vindicated against all the abuses that they received on the "Invitation Cup Win".As for the future of "Be Safe"? I sincerely hope he is retired to pasture as his wealthy owner can afford to feed this elite horse that is proving a costly mega-budget flop to punters.If "BETTING STATISTICS" of the "Invitation Cup" in Mumbai  and today's "Marajahs Cup" in Begaluru are revealed then i am convinced that  "BE SAFE"  would enter the "Limca Book of Records" for the dubious distinction of  being the race-horse on which punters lost and also bet the maximum money.The Mahalaxmi racecourse was packed to capacity as must have been other racing centres in India and hence the Crores of rupees bet on "Be Safe" can be estimated.The young 23 year old Maharajah of Mysore  Shri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar was personally present at the racecourse to distribute the prizes for the "Maharajah Cup"..The Bengaluru(Bangalore) racecourse was land donated by the Maharajah of Mysore which is the "Wadiyar dynasty". I have won and lost huge sums of money speculating on the "STOCK MARKETS" but "BE SAFE" loss was a emotional loss rather than a monetary loss.I will never ever forget the colt "BE SAFE" and also "SOUTHERN EMPIRE" in my life  for different reasons with  strangely  both horses belonging to the undisputed Czar of Indian horse racing Dr M.A.M.Ramaswamy."Be Safe" won the "Indian Derby-2015"  on Sunday(1-2-2015) in a record time trouncing the same horses including "QASAR" that made him resemble a riding pony on Sunday(5-7-2015) ! Post mortem of the race proved that "Be SAFE" was suffering from a infection and hence ran a dismal race.This raises a bigger controversy as to the reasons for the horse not being withdrawn by the trainer if unwell and not fit to race Any pet owner will tell you that they can sense the mood and health of their pets and the same applies to horse trainers and syces who interact with their priceless wards on a  daily basis ."Be Safe" will recover from this illness and will definitely race in the highest company again with the same horses as the Indian racing public is somehow mesmerized by this colt.Even in victory "QASAR" had few admirers and all the press reports and discussion the next day  was about the dismal running and loss of "Be SAFE" and the crores of rupees gone to waste as losses for maximum punters ..Despite having beaten "Be Safe" twice it was sad to see "Qasar" still considered a pretender to the "Maharajah " throne of horse racing.Regarding the "BOOKIES", Some of them in the future  can be termed "BE SAFE MILLIONAIRES" as also a few "Punter" ! Ha Ha Ha Hee hee hee ?"Punters losses are the Bookies gains"..As a "Middle Class Indian" i can't forever speculate akin to owning the "Bank of India" ! Worse was to follow the "Be Safe" enigma when on Sunday(19-7-2015) he was made to run in the grueling "2800 meters Bangalore St Leger", "Qasar" was again his nemesis and many punters including myself commented on the reasons for entering"Be Safe" in a race just two weeks after his miserable performance.The opening "Odds" for both "Be Safe" and "Qasar" were almost even with "Qasar" being the slight favorite proving some foolish punters blind faith in "BE SAFE" and Dr M.A.M. Ramaswamy brand name in horse racing.I just watched the race and was sad to see "Be Safe" again humiliated , placing 3rd among 6 horses with "QASAR" winning the race and proving once and for all that he was a true stayer."Be safe" was later shifted to Chennai and according to the owner would be rested to recover from his ailments and also regain his form.
A few  punters including myself see some form of  sabotage in the racing career of "BE SAFE". Remember that crores of rupees are involved in the sport of horse racing besides the ego's of powerful owners, etc.How could a horse that won the Indian Derby in a record time lose under controversial circumstances in the "Invitation Cup" and later totally humiliated in further races ? Bizarrely on Friday(7-8-2015) the best long distance horse "QASAR" at odds of 20/100 was beaten dismally by 8/1 second favourite "AGOSTINI" at Bangalore in the "2400 meters Governors cup".After the race it was reported that "QASAR" had broken a blood vessel and hence the loss to "Agostini".Never in my  25 years of horse race punting have i seen two odds on favourites being beaten under controversial circumstances. If late Crime authoress Agatha.Christie or horse racing writer Dick.Francis were alive then their next source of a novel could be based on the infamous "BE SAFE" and "QASAR" horse racing debacles in India.Its rumoured that a few punters committed suicide after these shock results.The  1981 Epsom Derby winner "Shergar" kidnap and disappearance story bears close resemblance to the tragic and unexplained downfall of a horse named "Be Safe" in Indian horse racing. "Shergar" won the 1981 Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths and was kidnapped in 1983 from the Ballymany Stud in Ireland  by the I.R.A  for ransom and never seen again.Numerous books and documentaries have been written on the "Shergar Kidnapping" case as its body was never found nor the actual sequence of events of its ultimate fate. "BE SAFE" is very much alive but his abrupt loss of racing form and losses  will definitely be a source of detective books or even a movie in the near future.As for me  would be a safe distance from him in the future and wishing the horse all the best in its future races.if it recovers its racing form. Hope to be safe in my monetary speculations on the "Stock Markets" as well as "Horse Racing".

NIGHT RACING:-"Extreme Love" ridden by  A.Sandesh winning the "CAMBAY TIGER CUP"

Saturday(18-4-2014)"NIGHT RACING" in India  at Mahalaxmi Racecourse :-  For the first time in the history of Indian horse racing  it was decided to have a few races at night under floodlights with the same being sponsored by "Cambay Tiger", a premier sea food brand company also  selling the famed tiger prawns and hence the brand name.

Witnessing  horse racing history at Mahalaxmi racecourse.

  The historic Mahalaxmi  racecourse built in 1883 has seen the graphic fluctuations  of various Industry's  and personalities  in Bombay(Mumbai) with the thundering hoof beats of horses on its hallowed turf.This was the first time  in its history that horses would be running at night under artificial lights,a much awaited racecourse innovation since the advent of the motorcar.The last three races of the days racing schedule sponsored by "Cambay Tiger" which were sprint races (1000 meters) was held under floodlights.It was a carnival scenario  to the race day which began at 1600 hrs with the inaugural opening ceremony of the races held at 1900 hrs on the race ground in front of the paddock entrance.  

Law & Order :-"Police Armoured Vehicle" .

                                                                                     As usual a crowd of young punters in the first enclosure were busy passing sarcastic remarks at some of the wealthiest and most influential personalities of Indian business and racing assembled on the ground at the podium.The "BE SAFE" scandal of epic proportions was still fresh in mind of the "Front bench punters",If World famous  British horse racing thriller writer Dick.Francis were alive i am sure that his next novel would be on speculations of the "BE SAFE" loss in the "Indian Invitation Cup" held the previous month..Indian Underworld Crime Writer  S.Hussain.Zaidi has strangely never touched the World of Indian horse racing  in his semi biographical books of Mumbai's underworld. Since 1883 the hallowed turf of the "MAHALAXMI RACECOURSE" in Bombay now Mumbai has definitely seen the rise and fall of numerous Underworld empires besides formal Industrial and Royalty tycoons..A few  common punters are  hard core addicts and gamble recklessly akin to alcoholics or drug addicts and hence don't realize that the sport of "Horse racing" has very few winners surviving on the sport as "Punters".Hence its always, the owners, trainers, jockeys or bookies that receive the brunt of verbal abuse from a common punter little realizing that without patronage by wealthy horse owners the sport of horse racing would cease to exist as a gambling sport.The most hilarious quote in Hindi against the horse racing managing elite  was, quote,  "They rob punters in daylight and now intend to  rob them at night "! Ha Ha Ha Hee Hee Hee ?The beauty and importance of horse racing is that "BILLIONAIRES", "INTELLECTUALS", "PAUPERS" and "DUFFERS" all meet on a level playing field to try their skills at making a fool of a race horse by predicting a race result !The "Who's Who" of "R.W.I.T.C(Royal Western India Turf Club))" were present at the podium  and R.W.I.T.C chairman Mr Khusroo.Dhnjibhoy. gave a welcome speech followed by another short speech by Dr Ram.Shroff (Chairman of Night racing working group of R.W.I.T.C). Chairman Mr Khusroo.Dhunjibhouy next switched on the "FLOODLIGHTS". There was a burst of fireworks and a laser show, a grand spectacle to the inauguration of the first night race in India.

"Mighty Splendour" with jockey  Dharmendar astride.

                                                                                               The first race run under floodlights was the "Frozone Cup Div 1(1000meters)" won by a rank fluke outsider "Mighty Splendour" ridden by jockey Dharmendar and trained by Mr  S.Mangalorkar.Jockey Dharmendar who  ? Well from now on he will be remembered as the first jockey to win the first race under floodlights in India.It was a day to remember as all  people at the racecourse were witnessing a slice of Indian horse racing history. Having personally witnessed night racing in 2005 at the  Sha Tin racecourse in Hongkong i personally found the horse-racing pedestrian but the locale and ambiance excellent. The Mahalaxmi racecourse is one of the most scenic racecourses in the World  with a background of the Arabian sea  to the west and skyscraper buildings encircling it in the horizon.The racecourse estate also a  large amount of rain  trees  and a spacious  members lawn.Hope "NIGHT RACES" become a fixed schedule on the racing calendar of Mahalaxmi racecourse and also spreads to other racing centers in India.Ultimately the sport of "HORSE RACING" survives on "BETTING REVENUE"  and not once in a blue moon entertainment.The main burden of Indian horse racing is the high taxation imposed by the Government which makes betting on horses the least lucrative business avenue as a "PUNTER".To the Government  the average punter  is seen as a gambling addict rather than a speculator akin to trading in stocks .Hope this attitude changes with the introduction of "NIGHT RACING" and Mumbai becomes a name as familiar as Singapore, Hongkong, Dubai or Tokyo in the World of Asian horse racing.

"AMERICAN PHAROAH" snoozing in his stable far away from the race tracks.

"AMERICAN TRIPLE CROWN" :- The "Triple Crown"  consists of 3 races A) The Kentucky Derby(1 1/4 mile or 2000 meters) run at Churchill downs in Louisville  in Kentucky  B)  Preakness Stakes( 1 3/16 mile or  1900 meters) run at Pimlico racecourse in Baltimore in Maryland and 3) Belmont Stakes(1 1/2 Mile or 2400 meters). at Belmont park in New York.All the tracks are "DIRT TRACKS" with the Belmont Stakes being the longest race of the 3 races.The first "Triple Crown" winner was "Sir Barton" in 1919. Only 11 horses had won the "Triple Crown" since 1919 , the last horse being  "AFFIRMED" in 1978 On Saturday(6-6-2015)  "AMERICAN PHAROAH" won the Belmont stakes and hence after a wait of 37 years the coveted "Triple Crown" of American racing was conquered.Since 1978 there have been 12 race horses  that lost at the Belmont race track and hence failing to be crowned a "Triple Crown Champion".Seems No 13 was lucky for "American Pharoah" as he was the 13th horse since 1978 to finally break the jinx and win this coveted race to complete the hat-trick of wins."American Pharoah" was ridden by jockey  Victor.Espinoza, trained by Bob.Baffert and owned by Ahmad.Zayat.Bizarrely it has also been 36 years since my association with the "Mahalaxmi Racecourse" beginning in 1979 as a 18 year old and now in 2015 winning my first Indian derby  on "BE SAFE". I have been keeping track of American racing since decades through magazines and later through the Internet.The prized "T-Shirt" of  "West Point Thoroughbreds" is one of my coveted collector items of personal memorabilia.In the 1990's had corresponded with "Westpoint Thoroughbreds" regarding "Share ownership" in horses something similar to companies on the Stock exchange.Akin to investing in "Stock Companies" a investor can invest in a thoroughbred racehorse through a partnership with other investors.The horses would be managed , trained and raced by "Westpoint Thoroughbred" management  under their "Silks/Banner" on behalf of its investors.Identical to share ownerships in corporates.They mailed  me a "T-Shirt" with their emblem by post from America.Today "Partnership race horse ownership" is popular in India with many small syndicates owning race horses.Hence today even a high wage earner can become a horse owner through horse partnership syndicates something i researched in the early 1990's through "Westpoint thoroughbred" who are still very much in the horse racing business in 2015.Akin to businesses its common for a few racehorse owners of syndicates to go bankrupt over the years or decades as horse racing is a very speculative and high risk business enterprise.Any Indian origin American wanting to become a racehorse owner with minimum investment and personal involvement can contact "Westpoint Thoroughbreds( http://www.westpointtb.com ).

"Alluring Silver", the 20/1 Winner of the " Zavaray S Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Grade 1)" race returning to the paddock after winning the gruelling 2400 meters race.Champion jockey Suraj.Narredu is astride the winning horse.

"Covid 19" entry precautions.

Sunday(19/12/2021)Zavaray S Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Grade 1) :- The biggest ever day in Indian racing history when 7 Graded races including 5 (Grade 1)races were run today.This was the first invitation cup race run in the "Covid-19" era of travel and sports spectators lockdown with spectator racing resuming at the Mahalaxmi racecourse after almost one and a half year and  9 Bookies in operation in the "RING" on this race day.Are you superstitious or believe in Jinxes'  ? Honestly this Sunday(19/12/2021) proved one of the Worst day's in my life as if someone was deliberately sabotaging my plan's for the day. First bad luck of the day was forgetting  my house keys on my way for daily marketing after locking the door and luckily house-keeper Sabina .Dias stay's close to my residence. Hence opened the door after collecting the duplicate key from her house. Next disaster was my "Bullet 350 CC" motorcycle refusing to start , something that happened after ages and hence had to go to the racecourse by public transport. Rest was the monetary disaster on the racecourse.

Zavaray S Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Grade 1) was to be run at 4.30pm and here in the video is my commentary in the paddock before the start of the race .Karthik Ganapathy-schooled Juliette stands tall among the 7 runners piloted by jockey A.Sandesh.I had stopped punting on horse racing since 2017 but today specially attended and bet a big sum(Whale Bet) on "JULIETTE" .Yours truly "PUNTER ROMEO" lost a "Whale Bet" on "JULIETTE" . It was a chance ride for India's best rider Suraj Narredu as English rider David Egan was assigned to ride the Pesi Shroff English rider David Egan was assigned to ride the Pesi Shroff trained filly but just before catching his flight from England one of his contacts tested positive for "Covid-19".Hence Suraj was asked to ride "Alluring Silver" and the wily saddle artist made the most of it by guiding Alluring Silver, a 20/1 shot, to an astounding victory."Covid -19" played a important role in the running of this race for if Jockey David.Egan had ridden "Alluring Silver" would she have won ?  No wonder all sportsmen, sportswomen and gamblers are a superstitious lot as "Destiny" or "Luck" plays a important role in any sport least of all "Horse Racing" which has a huge element of luck involved.

Santa Claus didn't give me a "Horse Racing Punter's Gift " for 2021 .The fact that i have survived "Covid 19 Economic and Physical Calamity" is the greatest gift that i shouldn't take for granted.

P.S:- Post mortems are useless in horse racing as money once lost can never be regained unlike the "STOCK MARKET" which has its ups and downs and in my opinion "JULIETTE" lost a definite race due to "BAD RIDING JUDGEMENT" by veteran jockey A.Sandesh.

Wonder Filly "Miracle" winning her 7th race on a trot, the 1600 meters  "Villoo .C.Poonawalla Indian 1000 Guineas(Grade 1)

Below is a extract by a reporter from "MiD Day Newspapers" .Extract of the News :- No-hoper Successor (NS Parmar up), carrying the same silks of Zavaray Poonawalla as Alluring Silver did, set a decent pace after the starter flagged them off for the mile-and-a-half race. Suraj Narredu (who got a chance ride on Alluring Silver because the originally declared jockey David Egan could not make it to India in time) settled the four-year-old filly comfortably in the fourth spot, even as Sandesh, astride favourite Juliette (trained by G Karthik), decided to give company to another Shroff ward, Parisian (P S Chouhan up), who was perceived as Juliette's main rival, not realising that he was racing more than 25 lengths away from the leading horse.“You can give pounds to your rivals; but you can't give them yards” is a wise old saying in horse racing. But apparently, ace jockey A Sandesh had not heard it. And he learnt truth of it the hard way, paying heavy price in the process, as hot popular fancy Juliette failed to collar the Pesi Shroff-trained Alluring Silver (Suraj Narredu up), who posted a sensational performance to win the most sought after title in Indian horse racing, the Zavaray S Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup .

A presentation ceremony in progress in the paddock with the one and only Mr Cyrus.Madan(Mike in Hand) compering in his unique horse sense racing vocabulary.

        Mare "JULIETTE" added to my "Covid 19 Economic Apocalypse" tally  in the "Indian Stock Market" by placing 2nd in the ""Zavaray S Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup(Grade 1) 2400 Meters. I placed her to a "Win " bet, the eternal "Punter Romeo" always positive about coming out of the racecourse as a winner as are 90% punter's across the Globe let alone India ! BELOW IS A CUTOUT FROM THE " MUMBAI SUNDAY MIRROR(23/1/2022)" ON THE 12 DAYS RACE RIDING SUSPENSION GIVEN TO JOCKEY A .SANDESH. A MOCKERY OF JUSTICE .

CUTOUT FROM THE " MUMBAI SUNDAY MIRROR(23/1/2022)" ON THE 12 DAYS RACE RIDING SUSPENSION GIVEN TO JOCKEY A .SANDESH. A MOCKERY OF JUSTICE .

Although my purse was much lighter returning home had excellent entertainment at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai.In the previous race the wonder filly "Miracle" lived upto her name by winning her 7th consecutive race on a trot .Met the racecourse "Santa Claus(Ravi Nair)" who didn't give me "Punter Dividend Gifts" but was thrilled to meet a true Santa for the first time during races at one of the  most scenic racecourse in the World, let alone India. It was nice to see the ageless Mr Cyrus.Madan as MC (With mike in Hand). Horse racing keeps you young and fit and Mr Cyrus Madan whom i have been seeing Onn/Off since the last quarter of the century seems to have made Father Time stand still. 

A cut-out from " Mid- Day" newspaper on the JINXED OPENING DAY on Thursday (23/11/2023) of the Mumbai ( 2023-24) racing season .Surprisingly eminent Horse racing journalist Mr Prakash
Gosavi hasn't mentioned the demise of racehorse " Chenevex trench" in the 3rd race of the day.Without horses the sport of horse racing wouldn't exist and hence due respect and importance should be given to the animal involved in the days racing programme.

Friday(24/11/2023) JINXED OPENING DAY OF MUMBAI RACES 2023-2024 AT MAHALAXMI RACECOURSE:- R.I.P Altaff.Hussein. To.me Thursday (23/11/2023) was the most " JINXED" opening day of my attendances at the racetrack since 1980 when I first stepped onto the racecourse as a 18 year old " Marine Engineer student". 1) In first race of the Muharrat the horse " Democracy" @ 50/100 lost narrowly and so did yours truly. 2)Later in the paddock was shocked to hear the announcement of the demise of veteran trainer Mr Altaff.Hussain, a very unassuming man and on whose trained horse " DANCING PRANCES" owned by Mr Solomon.Sopher I made " Whale bets" twice for place and got good dividends.In fact a year or two ago met him at " GALLOPS" restaurant early in the morning during breakfast and inquired about " Dancing Prances" to which he said that the gelding was enjoying retirement in Pune 3)In the 3rd race of the day horse " Chenevex Trench" died of a heart attack nearing the finish post and favourite" Zuccaro"@30/100 was out of the money 4) The major race of the day " Royal Kokatta Turf club" where I bet " place" on " Son of a Gun" @ evens with the horse trouncing the field to come first .Was later  shocked after a long " Equine court case" hearing by the Stewards for the race declared this race null and void .A FALSE START made the race null and void with money refunded to punters. YES EVERY SPORTS AND SPORTS SPECILATOR HAS A BAD DAY.