The Bangalore Turf Club has affected a generous 20 per cent hike in stake-money for Group races for the ensuing Summer Season over last year. The incentives for small owners, performance based bonus and increase in total outlay will also work out to about 20 per cent. The increase in stake-money is 12.5 per cent. The total stake money on offer will be little more than Rs 18 crores as against 15.4 crores offered last summer season. The prime attraction of the season, the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby will offer stake-money in excess of Rs 2 crores.

The Summer Season was put off by a week due to insufficient rain fall which affected the preparation of the race track which has to take a heavy pounding right through the year. Consequently, the entire programme gets re-adjusted by a week, with the season starting on May 19 and ending on August 10.

Interestingly, whether the season has started on time or not, every year the season has invariably ended in the second week of August due to one problem or the other. Last year, the extension of the season was necessitated by the postponement of the Derby by one week due to industrial action by labour union.

The incentives for small owners have been hiked by 50 per cent. Originally, it was at five per cent and now it has been doubled. Performance based incentive has been raised by about 32 per cent. The good news is that with the participation of about 98 outstation horses, the competition is bound to be of the highest order. With the number of races for first season runners during winter being way below normal, the races meant for three-year olds should see some top horses show out their potential. The horses which showed out in winter may find the going tough with new stars expected to come into focus. The exciting thing about the summer season is the performance of emerging stars which has a bearing on the classics to be held all over India during monsoon and winter seasons. The stake money for a three year old maidens race is about Rs 8,38,860 inclusive of incentives and performance bonus, the winner getting more than Rs 4 lakhs if the horse is locally based and is eligible for other bonuses.

The Kingfisher Derby will now be held on Sunday, July 15. The Maharaja`s Cup which is one of the highlights of the season will be held on Sunday, July 8 and it will be sponsored by Novotel Hotels. The Nanoli Stud Farm will be sponsoring the highly competitive Group II Juvenile Million, slated for July 27 which serves as a pointer to the summer classics.

FIXTURES FOR BANGALORE SUMMER MEETING 2012

Saturday 19th May, 2012
Sunday 20th “
(JAYACHAMARAJA WADIYAR CUP-GRADE III)

Saturday 26th “
Sunday 27th “
(NANOLI STUD JUVENILE MILLION-GRADE II)

Saturday 2nd June, 2012
Sunday 3rd “
(CHIEF MINISTER`S CUP-GRADE III)

Saturday 9th “
Sunday 10th “
(KARNATAKA CUP-GRADE III)
Saturday 16th “
Sunday 17th “
(FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES-GRADE I)

Saturday 23rd “
(CHIEF JUSTICE`S CUP-GRADE III)
Sunday 24th “
(COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES-GRADE I)

Saturday 30th “
Sunday 1st July, 2012
(JUVENILE SPIRNTER`S MILLION-GRADE III)

Saturday 7th “
Sunday 8th “
(NOVOTEL MAHARAJA`S CUP-GRADE II)

Saturday 14th “
(IMPERIAL TOWERS MILLION
B.T.C ANNIVERSARY CUP-GRADE II)
Sunday 15th “
(KINGFISHER DERBY BANGALORE-GRADE I)

Saturday 21st “
Sunday 22nd “
(BANGALORE ST.LEGER-GRADE II)

Saturday 28th “
Sunday 29th “
(BANGALORE SUMMER MILLION-GRADE III)

Thursday 2nd August, 2012
Friday 3rd “
(BANGALORE CITY GOLD CUP-GRADE III)

Thursday 9th “
Friday 10th “
(GOVERNOR`S CUP-GRADE III)