Even before the bifurcation of the State got the legislative approval, the clamour for a separate race course in Seemandhra region on the lines of Hyderabad Race Club’s Malakpet course is gaining momentum.
A majority of the punters, who visit the off-course tote centre at Yalamanchalli Complex, said in unison that a course was imperative after the split as it not only adds lustre to the new State as a tourist attraction but also brings a new dimension to the sport of racing.
“It is always thrilling to see the horses, flesh and blood, galloping towards the finishing line,” said a compulsive better on horses.
Tote centre in-charge Phani Babu said that HRC had acquired one acre land near Enikepadu to construct its own administrative building with the latest facilities. “The present betting centre is a rented one. Now that the bifurcation looks imminent, we might have to postpone the venture.”
Mr. Babu said that the centre was getting many enquiries about the possible new race course.
“We need at least Rs.100 crore for a full-fledged one. We need to have space for 18 to 24 horses to run in tandem in the circle. Provisions like swimming pool for the horses, veterinary hospital, jockey training centre, administrative block, cash counters, galleries with VIP boxes and cafeteria are a must. Race course maintenance is an expensive affair,” he explained.
Mr. Babu said that Vijayawada centre was opened in 1994 and later centres at Vizag, Guntur, Rajahmundry and Kakinada and Kurnool came into operation. “The rush to Vijayawada centre has been reduced after these centres came up. We get regular punters from all over Krishna district and from Khammam and Eluru”.
He said the money lost by the losers was distributed to the winners after deducting the club commission and tax to the State Government. “Everything in the tote centre is transparent and accounted for. If someone wins more than Rs. 20,000 we give cheques to them. Youngsters below the age of 16 are not allowed inside the centre”.
Even women visit the centres to bet on the horses but they are in small number. “Those who prefer to bet huge money visit the course directly or would seek the help of bookies. People, who bet small denominations, visit tote centres”. For doing business on races held at other States like Karnataka and Maharashtra, the HRC will pay royalty to the respective clubs and remit taxes to the State government.
He said there were several horse owners from the coastal Andhra who reared their animals at Hyderabad and they will play a crucial role in the sprucing of a new course in the future. ‘Some of them are stewards at HRC”.
Dame Luck smiled on a punter when he took home Rs. 4, 80,000 by betting a paltry sum of just Rs. 150 on a horse in late 90s. In fact, he is the biggest winner from Vijayawada centre so far.
