PUNTERS DRUBBED, SCRIPTED RACING TO THE FORE


PUNTERS DRUBBED, SCRIPTED RACING TO THE FORE

— by Mahindar Singh Rathore | Turf Tracker

The Bangalore Summer Season: A Pale Imitation of Its Glorious Past

The Bangalore Summer Season, once a proud stage for thrilling finishes and high-stakes competition, has slipped into a dull routine. The energy is gone, replaced by flat, scripted racing that has punters grumbling and racing fans longing for yesteryears.

Gone are the titanic battles down the final furlong. In their place, we have monotonous gallops where winners coast home unchallenged, and the betting ring tells stories that defy both form and logic.

FORM IS FICTION, LOGIC IS LOST

In race after race, modest horses attract massive support, while proven contenders drift aimlessly in the market. The punter, once able to navigate the card with a sharp eye and instincts, now feels adrift—caught in a game where the script seems pre-written.

The ‘favourite-following’ formula has collapsed. Betting boards are more confusing than informative. Stewards, meanwhile, seem more like mute spectators in a theatre of the absurd—while professionals keep minting money with little accountability.

Margins of victory have stretched, not due to superior horses, but due to lack of opposition. This not only kills competition but dangerously inflates handicap ratings, turning the entire structure on its head.

STARS, FLOPS & FIXES

  • Eagle Day, from the Pesi Shroff yard, impressed over the mile and looks set to wun again
  • Charismatic, trained by Prasanna Kumar, won but didn’t quite sparkle; his stablemate Money Bags, overhyped and undercooked, flopped badly.
  • The most glaring absurdity: Shamrock’s rating nosedive. From 120 post a Super Mile Group 1 win in Chennai to a baffling 106 in Bangalore—this defies any credible logic. Previously rated 115 in January without winning, Shamrock is now penalized for winning? Only in this farce of a ratings system.

Yet, Shamrock silenced both the cynics and the handicapper, winning the H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup emphatically. Favourite Prana, as usual, disappointed, while Supernatural ran an eye-catching third—suggesting longer trips will suit. Veteran Ramiel proved he’s not past his peak and should be watched over extended distances.

SPRINT DIVISION SHAKES UP

  • Petaluma, from Leo D’Silva’s stables, turned heads with a five-length demolition. Her time blew the other division away.
  • Refined Aggression had a horror run—troubled midrace and nearly unseated his rider. Yet the ring stubbornly backed Midnight Blue, which ended in a painful payout.

The Speaker’s Cup looked balanced, but Pluto took all suspense out of it with a dominant front-running display. Apprentice Ramaswarup on Del Aviz had a race to forget—boxed in, then wide out—throwing away his chances.

Emphatic, from the Padmanabhan stable, narrowly held off Victor Hugo, who almost pulled off a fairy tale after a 249-day layoff. Sandesh's poise proved decisive.

As for Irfan Ghatala’s string—predicting their performance is a celestial guessing game. Betting on them is a bigger gamble than roulette.

NEW NAMES TO NOTE

  • Elysium, the Attaollahi-trained maiden, delivered a stunner—her seven-furlong timing was a full two seconds faster than the other division. A star in the making.
  • The finale provided rare joy—Champions Way, under Suraj Narredu, snapped a 496-day drought. A tight finish added much-needed adrenaline to a dull card. Had Ramaswarup not gifted the rail run, the result might've changed.

THE BOTTOM LINE: FLAT, FIXED & FORGETTABLE

Yes, the favourites have technically delivered—but with no true sense of competition, drama or suspense, the season so far feels lifeless. The handicapper’s inconsistencies, unexplained betting swings, and lack of accountability in the riding and officiating ranks have left punters bruised and bored.

If the upcoming classics don’t jolt this season out of its coma, the Bangalore Summer of 2025 will go down as one of the most uninspiring in memory.

🖊️ © Mahindar Singh Rathore | Turf Tracker | 

For exclusive Indian horse racing insights, visit:www.INHorseracing.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

STAFF UNION STRIKE DERAILS CALCUTTA DERBY - SEASON’S BIGGEST EVENT POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

The infamous trade unions of West Bengal, notorious for their disruptive tactics, have struck again, this time dealing a severe blow to the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC). The ongoing strike by the stable staff union has paralyzed the Kolkata racing scene, with the second consecutive race day called off. The much-anticipated Calcutta Derby, the crown jewel of the season, scheduled for January 12, 2025, has been indefinitely postponed.   This marks the second major disruption caused by the syces' union within four years, bringing the sport to its knees. Veteran champion trainer Vijay Singh, a pillar of Kolkata racing for over two decades, had foreseen the growing challenges and moved his stable to Chennai a few years ago. His foresight now appears prescient, as trainers, owners, and professionals who continued to seek opportunities in Kolkata find themselves ensnared in this escalating crisis.   To add to the chaos, the union has reportedly threatened to block the move...
Read more

The Dwindling State of Indian Racing: A Sport in Decline

  The Dwindling State of Indian Racing: A Sport in Decline Indian horse racing, once a bastion of competitive spirit, strategic brilliance, and electrifying finishes, is now a shadow of its former self. What was once a sport driven by ambition and excellence has gradually eroded into a spectacle of predictable outcomes, dwindling competition, and administrative lethargy. The pulse of racing, which thrived on intense rivalries and unpredictable performances, now beats faintly, drowned out by the monotony of ‘friendly’ entries, questionable practices, and a ruling body that seems increasingly indifferent to the sport’s decay. The Death of True Competition Gone are the days when every race was a battle of supremacy, where owners, trainers, and jockeys pushed their limits to secure victory. Today, a significant portion of races limp into existence with lackluster participation, where many contenders seem to appear merely for the sake of fulfilling entry obligations rather than to mount...
Read more