Road widening adds more suspense to races

Road widening adds more suspense to races


The new stables that are being constructed will obstruct the view of the races/Nagaraja Gadekalal.
S S Shreekumar
First Published : 02 Feb 2009 03:40:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Feb 2009 09:20:43 AM IST

BANGALORE
: Racing in Bangalore will soon become more nail-biting. To allow widening of the Sheshadri Road, the Bangalore Turf Club has been forced to shift its stables to the middle of the race course, blocking the view of the paying public at a crucial stretch of the course. The stretch just ahead of the home run - the 800 metres to the 600 metres markers - will be hidden from their view. Spectators will miss the heart-stopping action leading to the winning post.

The plight of the commentator reading the positions can well be imagined. Even the camera angles might have to be changed to allow uninterrupted view on the CCTVvs. This is also beamed live to centres in the country for off-course betting.

“Yes, we were forced to make these temporary arrangements. For now, we will accommodate the horses in these stables. Later, we will make permanent arrangements,” BTC secretary Nirmal Prasad said.

The stables are being built just a week before the Derby scheduled for February 8. The huge crowd will have to remain content with viewing only the early and latter part of the race.

During the crucial phase, they’ll be biting their nails and tearing their hair.

“I really don’t know how much they will affect the view. But we will do something and change the camera angles to ensure full coverage on the television circuit at least,” said Prasad.