Paul Wright | Great Diamond Mile but more work to be done

Thoroughbred racing's Diamond Mile easily qualifies as the biggest race of the racing calendar. The vast sum of money ($13.9 million) up for grabs by the entrants contributes to the race's prestige. Since the onset three years ago, the promoters and the sponsors have grappled with the dilemma of deciding which horses should be invited.

This year, money earned in the calendar year was the criterion. That did not halt the howls of protest that have dogged this race since its onset. Former champion trainer and respected racing personality Phillip Feanny believes that the answer is simple: invite the best 22 horses over a distance of a mile.

These horses should be identified, and a special committee should then be decide on the final 16. Every racing fan with whom I have had this discussion agrees that that idea is the best they have heard. So, how come we still have controversy after the conditions have been decided?

ENTRY CRITERIA

It is my belief that if the best 'milers' at Caymanas Park were identified and invited to the race, then a horse like Peking Cruise, an accomplished sprinter, whose 11 career starts have resulted in seven victories, none of which have been in excess of five and a half furlongs, could have been included in the starting line-up. The fact that it was the fractiousness of this horse in the starting gate prior to the start of the 2018 renewal of the race that resulted in the eventual withdrawal of the people's favourite filly and pre-race favourite, SHE'S A MANEATER, only serves to solidify the reasonableness of Feanny's suggestion.

There are some of us who believe that the criteria used for this year's renewal caused some horses with an unrealistic chance of winning, yet invited, to stand firm at nomination, thus denying the chances of genuine contenders who were eventually eliminated. Hopefully, the powers that be will review (as they have done in the past) the criteria for entry in the race.

The main idea behind this novel innovation is to attract 'new' fans, owners, and an international audience who will not only bet on the race, thus contributing to the bottom line of the promoter, but will encourage overseas entrants.

The 'show' last Saturday had excitement galore, but there is still a lot of work needed if the aims and aspirations of the sponsors are to be achieved.

STARTING ON TIME

First, the 10 a.m. start to accommodate 14 races on the day must have provisions for the participants, invited guests, and fans to be comfortable in what we all know will be a long and difficult day. Second, there must be a concerted effort made to start the races on time. If simulcasting the race overseas is the desire, then, except for unexpected occurrences (‡ la the 'escape' of the favourite for the Diamond Mile before the start off the race), 10- and 15-minute delays to the starts of races are simply unacceptable.

Yet, after all that, the day had a little of everything for the fans and stakeholders.

Favourites doing well, tight finishes, drama without tragic results and finally, breathless anticipation for the remaining races of the year as the championships for owner, trainer and jockey are not yet settled.

Special congratulations to the connections of the obvious Horse of the Year 2018, WILL IN CHARGE. Young and upcoming star trainer Robert Pearson cannot be congratulated enough for not only the victory, but for keeping this wonder horse in excellent condition for all his races this year! As the excited crowd exited the track at the end of a long and exhausting day, the question on the lips of all: "When is the next race day?" The answer: December 8!

Be there!