All licensed bookmakers operating inside the Mahalaxmi racecourse went on a flash strike on Saturday. None of them operated for the Pune races, citing "harrassment by local goons" as the reason. "We are being harassed by goons with political connections for over a year now. The race club is not giving us protection against this menace," one of them told mid-day on condition of anonymity.

When asked for a reaction, Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club, said: "This is absolute nonsense. We have called the bookmakers to Pune tomorrow to understand the problem."