Even the pristine atmosphere of the picturesque racecourse failed to lift the spirits of Vivek Jain as he faced a small gathering of racing journalists on Friday evening at Mahalaxmi. Making a clean chest and Hiding nothing, the popular chairman of RWITC (Royal Western India Turf Club) listed all the serious problems which besiege horse racing in western India right now. Jain tried to put up a brave face despite admitting that he did not know what the future holds for the sport of horse racing, but hoping against hope that things will ease up as the 39-day Mumbai season gets underway on Sunday."

Problems galore
With the race club's balance sheet in dire straights due to unprecedented loss of crores of rupees, and the lifeline of sport of horse racing--hard cash--abruptly cut off due to the much talked about "note ban" in force, horse racing as an industry finds itself in deep trouble. Add to this the land lease problem that has been hanging like a Damocles' sword all the time and the exorbitant level of betting tax which drives even honest punters to illegal bookmakers, and you know why there is a sense of foreboding in the air.