No official race card has been published by the only ‘Horse Racing Organiser’ (HRO), the MTC Sports And Leisure Ltd (MTCSL), less than 24 hours prior the first race meeting scheduled for April 21.
The Horse Racing Division (HRD) has done the scratching, done the barrier draws and published a document it calls the race card for the first meeting. But only the HRO is allowed to issue a proper race card to be used by betting operators.
The MTCSL, a public company of the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC), was granted a HRO licence on Friday 15. But the payment for it has not been done yet as the GRA refused twice because the MTCSL sent junior officers to do it but not a director who holds a Personal Management Licence (PML). The third time, on Thursday April 21, the MTCSL sent two directors, but they wanted to know the conditions attached before they sign, and their request was dismissed by the GRA.
Both the MTC/MTCSL and the GRA issued press releases on Thursday evening and Friday morning (see below) to explain their positions.
