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Not a bad year for horseracing

The racing year has come to an end. My overall opinion for what it is worth is that it has not been a bad year. First of all the threat of what appeared to be an unsatisfactory divestment was lifted. This had been a shackle to CTL. In spite of this, long delays in getting approval for some projects, proved to be a restraining factor.

The tote broke all records to the extent that by the beginning of November CTL had taken in more than the amount for the entire previous calendar year. Clearly they must have been doing something right. Perhaps there are those who would prefer to have that phrased differently like saying something right must have been happening for them. Whichever way it is phrased, records were broken and credit is due.

The returns for Boxing Day are a prime example of what has been a growing trend throughout the year. On Boxing Day the tote took in more than $49 million. The previous record for a day was over $$6 million. Despite all the complaints about farcical racing, unimaginative racing programmes and the total incompetence of the Programmes Committee and the Racing Office, punters spent the cash already in their pockets, engaged in much after-race discussions and came back for more the next week. This, in spite of the inadequate promotion of the racing product.

Before the start of the day there was popular feeling that the day lacked excitement. The two big races were assumed to be a mere canter for the two respective favourites but, such is racing, the 1:9 odds-on Distinctly Irish had to fight hard to narrowly dispose of a scrappy Dr. Socrates. Indeed, the riding of “Fanna” Griffiths to get his mount up in time, led many to order a refill of one of Jamaica’s finest liquid refreshments.

In the other race to the surprise of everyone the 1:5 “can’t lose” favourite The Real Stream was struggling from the three-furlong marker and ended up fifth. The after race discussion was on the nature of his illness. However that may be, it presented the promoters with the present for the New Year of a $3.3 million carryover pick-9. Incidentally did anyone notice that on a day that boasted 13 races there were only 4 claiming races? Has anyone noticed that through the year there has been an increase in the number of betting points per race and that this fact has impacted on the betting turnover at the tote?

I wonder if this came about by some lucky chance? I would venture to suggest that the Racing Office and the Programmes Committee have been tinkering with the existing system to the point where we are getting more competitive racing. Remember that whatever system is used it must cater to the quality and number of horses that are available and the inclination of the persons in the industry at all levels. Truth is, most persons do not like to have their horses claimed, but darn few want anybody handicapping their horses. The system as it now stands is an attempt to walk that narrow line but we need more horses and better quality to consistently produce Boxing Day programmes.

In this vein let me say to Jimmie that there is no need to mess around with the Harry Jackson. A few more quality horses and a better distribution of those horses would soon remove the racing ‘politics’ that has been plaguing the race of recent times. We now have a new Board of Directors at CTL. We can no longer complain about the absence of racing men on this Board. It also appears that we have businessmen who have extensive business experience. The fact of the matter is, Caymanas needs significantly more money to address the problem of more and better quality of horses and incidentally the better distribution of those horses.

Disturbing questionnaire
The increases seen at the tote can keep Caymanas going but it will not be enough to make the quantum leap that many envisage and desire. Meanwhile we will trudge along and await the pronouncements from the new Board. I have recently looked at a questionnaire that has been making the rounds and can only wonder to what extent this questionnaire reflects the direction in which the Board would like to go. Some of it is a trifle disturbing but more on that anon.

Incidentally, it does appear that our Prime Minister does not subscribe to the long-standing saying that “parson always christen im pickney first.” That would account for the absolutely atrocious state of the roads leading into and in his hometown Old Harbour. I use those roads frequently and having just spent in excess of $20,000 on front-end parts I can speak feelingly on the matter. The blocking of the roads has led to some marl being dropped in the craters on that riverbed that masquerades as a road. It is so bad that I don’t think anyone will label him as being partial if he manages to fix it.  Hope he can locate the money early in the New Year.

Having said that, let me wish our Prime Minister, all racing fans and stakeholders, a happy, peaceful as can be and successful new year.

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