It is learnt that a Malayan Racing Association sub-committee, which met at Penang last week, has proposed limiting eight outstation entries per race. In the event of excessive entries, selection of the final field will be at the discretion of the panel of handicappers. No apprentice allowance will be allowed in these "open races".

"I personally think that this is a positive move. Early indications are it could revive the horseracing industry and we should at least give it a try. There's nothing to lose and everything to gain," said Tommy Noordin, president of the Association of West Malaysia Racehorse Trainers.

The three Malaysian turf clubs and the SNTC used to stage open meetings on rotation until 1999 when the Singapore authority imposed a ban on the movement of all horses from Malaysia into the island republic following the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in Malaysia in March that year.

Since then, Singapore has been racing with horses based at Kranji while the Malaysian clubs stage races on their own. But the industry in both countries has never been the same.

"Since the separation, there has been a decline in betting turnovers apd crowd attendance in the three Malaysian turf clubs. On top of that, horseracing also faces a big threat from ‘live’ soccer matches.

"It's high time we do something about it. One must also remember that the MRA is the last link between Malaysia and Singapore and more effort should be put in to restore that tie," said Penang Turf Club (PNTC) General Manager/Secretary Robin Tan.

In the just released summary of crowd attendance and tote turnover of the three Malaysian turf clubs for the just concluded PNTC January Meeting, the statistics were far from satisfactory.

The PNTC had a total attendance of 15,020 over the four days while the Perak Turf Club (PRTC) and Selangor Turf Club (SLTC) registered 15,567 and 22,482 respectively.

In the good old days, having a crowd of 12,000 per race day was normal but not today. The betting turnover also did not return pleasing figures.

In the PNTC January Meeting where there were 40 races staged, including nine races from Kranji, the PNTC recorded RM6,592,520, the PRTC RM8,738.497 while the SLTC RM9,071,200.

The implementation of the cross-border racing, which was prompted by a Malaysian cabinet minister, will not only benefit the racing industry but also boost the economy of both countries with owners, trainers and the members of the racing fraternity moving in and out of the two neighbouring countries.

One of the main obstacles now standing in the way of this "merger" is the disparity in the handicapping system currently in Malaysia and Singapore.

In Malaysia, a horse gets a penalty of between seven to 10 points for every win while at Kranji, it is only around four to six points for each victory.

"We're aware of the great disparity in the handicapping system. In order to make it work, we just have to sit down and sort this problem out. This idea, in my opinion, will be quite interesting and it will enhance the betting turnovers in each club. The merger will be done in good spirit between Malaysia and Singapore," said SLTC Deputy Chairman Datuk Richard Cham Hak Lim.

Another stumbling block that has to be ironed out by the three Malaysian turf clubs is the quarantine protocol.

Although the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority Singapore (AVA) and the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia have embarked on a move to establish protocol procedures, new isolation stables have to be set up in each club.

The PNTC, which is scheduled to hold the inaugural cross-border racing in July, has called for tenders for 24 isolation stables at its Batu Gantong racecourse and it should be completed by end of April.