Members had reasons to be up in arms

MUMBAI: What caused the ire of the members of the RWITC as well as the paying public that caused them to riot at the Mahalaxmi race course holding up Sunday''s races for over an hour?
Jockey Narredu, in his objection, claimed that Gold Star was bumped and crossed by the favourite Secret Warrior in the Shapurji Pallonji Million. The punters who incurred massive losses were not satisfied and went on the rampage.The trouble started at the First Enclosure and then flared up to the Members Enclosure.
There are many aspects to the matter. In big races objections raised against favourites usually go in favour of the favourite. In this case, the winner Secret Warrior was declared loser. And the race was awarded to Gold Star, a horse owned by one of the stewards. Another point is that if the leader is ahead by a length no cognisance is taken of the alleged ''check''. Moreover video evidence can only be subjective.
Mahalaxmi regulars said it was rare for members to vent their ire against a decision of an objection. They do rise against dicey riding.
The RWITC secretary, Mr B A Engineer, said on Monday: "It was a bad show from the public. The stewards decision is final and they upheld the objection of the jockey. They went by the rules of racing and were within their rights. It was a shabby display by the members."
But a punter, not wishing to be named, had another point. He said "The decision was rubbish. About 300 metres out Secret Warrior led with Gold Star behind. He then went clear and then cut in over a length ahead of Gold Star. At that point the jockey of Secret Warrior B Prakash stopped riding. Only then that Gold Star caught up to make a close finish."
The punter wondered whether Prakash told the stewards at the inquiry that he had stopped riding.
According to an insider, there is very little chance of foul play as the member of the stewards committee who owns a horse is not permitted to sit in the room when the matter is deliberated upon.