White collar horse-racing crime or "Race-course haunting" in "Greater Mumbai Police Trophy" horse race.?

"Mahalaxmi Racecourse" at dawn.The most scenic location in Central Mumbai.

Thundering hooves in the afternoon/Evening at Mahalaxmi racecourse.

A brief episode of some of the most bizarre horse-racing scandals and incidents that i personally witnessed during my "horse-racing career" is documented for posterity. I have been in touch with horse-racing since the age of 19, beginning in 1980 and still surviving in this "Quick-sand sport" as a moderate punter in 2010. On Sunday(17-1-2010) thousands of racegoers witnessed the most bizarre racing scandal in the " 1800 mtrs GREATER MUMBAI POLICE TROPHY(1500hrs race)" when the first favorite "Lone Monarch" and the third favorite "Sea Sparrow" were stuck in their "Starting gate stalls" as the starting gates didn't open at the start of the race. Bizarrely, both horses belonged to the same trainer Mr Cooji .D.Katrak and all this spectacle unfolded in the presence of the Police Commissioner of Mumbai Mr Dhanushyakodi.Sivanandhan who was the chief guest for this race as also actor Salman.Khan who was to ride a "advertisement race" for his movie "Veer" and "Gossip sex socialite" Mrs Shoba.De."Starting Gate" failure for a single horse has happened on numerous occasions and is considered a part of horse-racing luck factor, but, two starting gates failing to open for favorites belonging to the same trainer is something as mysterious as the "Bermuda Traingle Mystery or Da Vinci Code". Either this particular race was "SABOTAGED" to embarrass the the "R.W.I.T.C" officials in the presence of Mumbai's Police Commissioner and celebrity V.I.P'S or this was a "Betting coup" by the "xyz coterie" or akin to the "Bermuda Traiangle mystery", the Mahalaxmi race-course is haunted due to graveyards in its vicinity and the death of jockeys and horses on the turf. Sherlock Holmes himself would have been baffled by this strange in-operation of the mechanical equipment of the "STARTING GATES" at the race-course in one of the most important races in the "Mahalaxmi Horse-racing calender".Normally such a race is declared "VOID" and the money refunded, but, strangely, the objection was over-ruled and the race declared valid and my sympathies to the backers of these 2 horses that lost the race without even attempting it! A probe should definitely be launched by the "R.W.I.T.C" as to the reasons for the "Starting Gates" malfunctioning on a crucial race day and at least get the credibility of the sport redeemed since bizarre malfunctioning do occur in every sport, although the "Greater Mumbai Police Trophy" race could be considered for a "Guinness Record" or a "Haunting Record" as the most bizarre race run at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai.Were the authentic bosses of "COMPANY" seeking to embarrass Police Commissioner Mr D.Sivanandhan for "GUNNING" them in "REAL LIFE" as well as "REEL LIFE"? ITS AN ANSWER WORTH CRORES OF RUPEES.The jinxed bad luck of trainer Cooji.Katrak became a casualty at the end of the day when one of the most promising horses and winner of the Pune Derby-2009, colt "VERSAKI" broke down during a "Mock Race" at the end of the races on Sunday(17-1-2010). The horse had to be destroyed, a magnificent specimen who won manny races during its short career.How could a single person face such a barrage of "BAD LUCK" on a "Single Day"?No wonder , sports-persons, gamblers, speculators and race-course patronizers are extremely superstitious people.
ERRATA:- Please note that all race-course spectators and gamblers thought that the "STARTING GATES" of both horses, "Lone Monarch" and "Sea Sparrow" had not opened since the the horses just refused to go forward on all gates opening. After reading the "Racing Correspondents" report on the race the fact was that the "STARTING GATES" did open but bizarrely both the horses refused to run! The "Human Eye" can be deceived on "Television" and even myself a regular "Horse-racing television viewer" was convinced that the "Starting Gates" had not opened, since these two horses just refused to move an inch forward as if they were being stopped by a obstacle, a real "Haunting spectacle" to all race-goers. It was akin to watching a "Magic Show Hallucination" at the "Mahalaxmi race-course", only difference, this was a genuine horse-race with lakhs of rupees at stake in bets. No wonder the race was not declared "VOID AND NULL" since the gates had opened but the horses did not respond. This is the first time that such an incident has happened in a race-course in India let alone Mahalaxmi.
A more bizarre "Horse-racing" incident at the "Bangalore Race-Course" on Saturday(20-2-2010) proved to be a mockery of "HORSE COURT CASES", a first in Indian horse-racing that i witnessed in 31 years of "Horse-Racing attendance".
In the 7th race of the day, "The Shravanabelagola Plate Div 1" the favorite "STILL WILL" at odds of "Evens"ridden by prominent jockey Y.S.Srinath was heavily backed to the exclusion of others, including "Green Bro" ridden by Suraj.Narredu on whom i had personally bet Rs 7000 for "Place" at odds of 70/100.At the start of the race jockey "Srinath just fell of his mount and the race continued with "Virtuoso" ridden by Imran.Chisty coming 1st at very high odds and "Green Bro" placing 2nd. After the race there was an "INQUIRY" for reasons of jockey Y.S.Srinath's bizarre fall and after lengthy "INHOUSE COURT DISCUSSIONS" the race was declared "NULL AND VOID" with all the bets refunded.This was the first instance in my racing career that i was a victim as well as a witness to a horse-race being declared a "FRAUD or CONTROVERSIAL" at Bangalore and bets refunded.Till date as on Friday(5-3-2010) the "Bangalore Turf Club" has not released any media report about this particular incident and neither has jockey Y.S.Srinath ridden after this particular race.The last time that i witnessed a "Horse Race Fraud" was in Mumbai where "Mazan" the favorite ridden by an unknown apprentice jockey Raju.Singh was blatantly "PULLED" akin to the hindi film "RACE", almost creating a riot at the "Mahalaxmi race-course" in Mumbai. After a "Stewards Inquiry" by the "Mumbai horse racing court", this race was declared "Null and Void" and became a "POLICE FRAUD CASE" with jockey Raju.Singh even attempting "Suicide" rather than face the wrath of his "Mafia connections" or "Police Interrogation". Jockey Raju.Singh was dismissed from the sport of horse racing and has never been heard of since then, dead or alive! Jockey Y.S.Srinath is a very big established name amongst Indian jockeys and hence it seems that the authorities can't do a "Raju.Singh Mob Justice" on him since he is no "SMALL FRY JOCKEY", having been for years in the "Horse-racing Industry" with many winners. The judgment against jockey Y.S.Srinath would be a historic milestone in "Indian Horse-Racing" for it would either expose "HORSE-RACING CORRUPTION" in "HIGH PLACES" or state the obvious as in George .Orwell's classic novel,"Animal Farm", quote,"SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL"! As expected, Y.S.Srinath has been permitted to ride, opening his first ride in "The Vandrewala Foundation Championship Trophy" in Mahalaxmi rac-course on Saturday(6-3-2010).This was the most ridiculous judgment in "Horse-racing history in India" where the common punters were made to suffer financially while the people concerned were never brought to justice. Reasons for "Refund of Bets" was never explained by "Stewards of Bangalore Turf Club" and unless for a "Technical Fault" like "Starting gates" not opening or " PUBLIC FRAUD" as in "RAJU SINGH/MAZAN CASE", a "HORSE-RACE" is never declared "NULL AND VOID" after the running and completion."Horse-racing" is partly a game of chance besides skill as are other sports and a jockey can always slip and fall on a favorite, akin to a star footballer missing a penalty or a top cricketer dropping a important catch in a match. Hence the "Y.S.SRINATH/STILL WILL CASE" of Bangalore racing has diminished the credibility of the "Bangalore Turf Club stewards" in the eyes of the racing public, a mockery of fair racing.But, as they say, "Punters are always mugs" and hope we mugs at least tread cautiously from our experiences, some emerging "Full-filled mugs" in the economic World of Horse-racing.

Sunday(6-12-2015) :-"Selfie" with "Qasar(1)" in the paddock.(Deltin Stayers Challenge 2400 mtrs).

Sunday (20-12-2015) PARANORMAL BIZARRE  DAY OF  2 DEATHS IN HORSE-RACING .Death of jockey Mr D.K.Ashish  in Kolkatta and death of favourite horse "Shooting Star" in Mumbai :-   On Sunday(20-12-2015) it was a days programme of exciting horse racing and entertainment at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai..The main event of the days race card was  the "Deltin Casino Indian 2000 guineas(Grade 1)" to be run at 1630 hrs.There was a bit of gloom among the racing fraternity as local rider Mr D.K.Ashish had a critical fall from his horse "Bold as Brass" in the "Calcutta Oaks(2400 mtrs) Grade 3" race in Kolkotta on Saturday(19-12-2015).He had suffered severe brain damage and was in a critical condition in Kolkotta.Some of his fellow jockeys had skipped riding on Sunday in Mumbai in order to be with one of their colleagues in Kolkotta. Horse racing continued as usual at the Mahalaxmi racecourse as its normal for the World to move on irrespective of tragedies or calamities The second race of the days card  "The Gulamhussein Essaji Trophy-Div 11" had the hottest favourite of the day  "Shooting Star" ridden by favourite jockey Trevor.Patel at odds of 50/100  finishing in the ruck to the dismay of numerous punters.P.Trevor was currently the favourite jockey of the racing fraternity riding maximum winners and hence the crowd understood that it was simply bad luck that the horse failed to race to its stipulated favouritism .As the horses and riders were returning back to the paddock from the track  i was standing near the paddock railing when i observed "Shooting Star" wobble like a drunkard and alerted jockey Trevor to dismount his horse. Jockey P.Trevor immediately dismounted his horse in time just before it collapsed on the paddock track. No amount of medical attention could revive it and it was for the first time in my life i saw a horse dropping dead from a "Heart Attack" just in front of me .Thye railing was the only barrier between me and the dead horse after which as usual a huge race-course crowd gathered.The dead horse was carted away on the "Horse ambulance" and it was also the first time that i witnessed the removal of a dead horse from the race track by means of a winch  and a hydraulic mobile lift attached to the ambulance truck.The event of racing continued as usual with all the racing fanfare and entertainment.Racehorse "Qasar" was felicitated for being the highest stakes winner in Indian racing having won Rs  5,97,21,873 in his racing career  till date his latest being the  winning of the "Deltin Stayers Challenge( 2400 mtrs)" on Sunday(6-12-2015).One race horse had died on the race tracks while another race horse was being felicitated on the same day.Bizarre co-incidence.Went home after the days racing and was sad to read the next day that upcoming young jockey Mr D.K.Ashish had succumbed to his injuries on the race track in Kolkotta.It was a day of twin tragedies in horse racing. The sport of horse racing is a combination of human and animal endeavor and on many occasions tragedy strikes both the participants of this exciting and dangerous  equine sport .Just over a week ago i had bet on a horse being ridden by Jockey D.K.Ashish  at the Mahalaxmi racecourse which made me realize that life, wealth and fame could be as fickle as a horse race. Thats life and living.

 SUNDAY (10-1-2016)  THE DAY I PERMANENTLY STOPPED MY HORSE RACING GAMBLING ADDICTION :-  I decided to go for "BROKE" on  Sunday(10-1-2016)  on the off-course Kolkotta races(Calcutta)  held in Mumbai. It was the "Kolkotta Derby Day" and i was sad at the meteoric social and economic fall of Industrialist Mr Vijay.Mallya, a prominent horse owner and one of my hero's.

I came from a "Middle-Class family" and over the years and decades followed the late Michael.Jackson lifestyle formula of ' A millionaire but living like a billionaire" . Admired Vijay.Mallya for his lavish unapologetic lifestyle in Socialist India where ostentatious display of wealth is frowned .Realized that just a single business error led to the monolith demolition of the "Vijay  Mallya King of Good Times" brand-name and was surprised as to how a astute businessman could make a colossal business errror akin to betting a wrong horse.

I had completed my "SILVER JUBILEE" of  race-course punting in 2015  akin to married couples completing a "Silver Jubilee"  of married life. For me the race-courses around India  and the World was my working office in a totally loss-making industry.Decided to finally call it either quits or a prolonged "Race-course marriage"  and on Sunday(10-1-2016) it was a final total divorce from "HORSE RACING GAMBLING". I had won the Indian Derby on "Be Safe" in 2015 and hence as a punter trophy collector there was nothing more to achieve besides losing more money through bad investments on slow horses.Bet a big sum on  the second favourite "Captain Cook"  in  the Kolkata Derby owned by Vijay.Mallya, trained by Bharath.Singh and ridden by champion jockey Treavor Patel. which ran dismally and i  lost a fortune. "Desert God", the favourite won the "Kolkataa Derby" and later also went on to win the "Indian Derby" in Mumbai" and the "Invitation Cup" in Chennai ! In the next race emptied my purse on "Speedy Gonsalves" ridden by jockey .P.S.Chouhan, trained by Ms Arti.Doctor. The horse "Speedy Gonsalves" came fourth instead of third , taking away all my money with its placing..In total i lost  Rs 33,000 in just two races, slightly less than my mammoth  record of  over Rs 40,000 losses on two race day week ends in  Mumbai and Bangalore. Drove back home with money enough for the motorcycle petrol. and vowed never again to ever think of using "HORSE-RACING" as a private income business akin to Industrialist Vijay.Mallya using "Kingfisher Airlines" to boost his industrialist  Empire and coming a cropper.A BUSINESS GAMBLE THAT FAILED MISERABLY AKIN TO A FORTUNE LOST ON HORSE-RACING.I must have invested a total of 15 to 20 Lakh Rupess since 1990  when i took up "HORSE-RACING" as a private business and one fine day the "VIJAY MALLYA KINGFISHER BANKRUPTCY" woke me up from my gambling intoxication.My parents were worried and tried their best to get me off the "HORSE-RACING GAMBLING HOOK" but to no avail and here on one Sunday i suddenly abruptly stopped betting on horses for life ! Call it destiny or just moving on in life.As a student of history and a blogger i realized that its futile to chase a business or gambling  mirage on passion , especially if you are chasing that mirage with your hard earned legitimate income ,Mr Vijay.Mallya should have heeded the saying of Ambrose.Bierce, quote," THE GAMBLING KNOWN AS BUSINESS LOOKS WITH  AUSTERE DISFAVOUR ON THE BUSINESS KNOWN AS GAMBLING" ! I will die a gambler as stock market investment is nothing but 50% gambling intuition but finally decided to cut my gambling business by closing down my emotional passion for gambling on race horses.

I am still actively involved in promoting horse racing as a spectator sport  but not involved in any gambling on the sport.