When across the Causeway, Singapore staged the Singapore Airlines International Cup race meeting on May 14, Malaysian fans must have been be left wondering why there is such a huge gap in the quality of racing between the two countries.

Given that racing between the two countries were on par before, and the same racing association governs the game in both countries - the Malayan Racing Association, which is probably the only link left with Singapore that has still not been severed - why the huge disparity?

In comparison to the Singapore Turf Club at Kranji, the three Malaysian turf clubs in Sungai Besi in Selangor, Ipoh and Batu Gantong in Penang score low marks on virtually all sectors. To begin with, there is the bookie menace which most likely has links with underworld vice kingpins.

The Malaysian Totalisator Board, though raking in millions annually from the sport and run under auspices of the Ministry of Finance, is little known to punters and appear not to care in giving accountability to the punter.

Other than the bookie and Board matters, conditions in turf clubs are deplorable despite day racing members having to pay a fee to enter on top of the amounts they bet. Come rain or shine, racing fans have to bear with the weather at least as far as the Sungai Besi club is concerned.

That horses are doped before a race is also not a new phenomenon in Malaysian horse racing. Whether jockeys ride their mounts with full vigour and enthusiasm is also doubtful, as a number of them, even leading jockeys, have been hauled up by the stewards and suspended or disqualified for not riding to the satisfaction of the racing stewards.

These are some of the reasons why punters prefer to wait the turn of the Singapore Turf Club to stage races, rather than have to place bets on 'doubtful' races organised by the Malaysian turf clubs.

Trainers with hardly any suitable qualifications or experience, improper training given to stable hands and operators, and the poor hygiene and care of horses have all have caused the sport of kings to dive to a new low.

There is an obvious need for a major clean up in the Malaysian horse racing industry. What has been mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg of a long list of complains that punters have been lamenting for some years now but appear to be falling on the deaf ears of the authorities in the industry.

Horse racing can be an interesting an healthy pastime and an indication of the progress, prosperity and development of a nation as in the case of Singapore, where the sport has become truly international and world class in stature drawing racing fans from all over the world.