Controversial dead-heat result heads to tribunal
Published:Tuesday | June 1, 2021 | 12:14 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) First Instance Tribunal delegates are scheduled to begin their investigations next week into the controversy surrounding the dead-heat result in the recent Kingston Cup involving MINIATURE MAN and FURTHER AND BEYOND.
The dead heat, which took place on May 8th at Caymanas Park, was referred to the First Instance Tribunal following a high-level meeting involving the JRC and the promoters of local horse racing, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) last Thursday.
The JRC’s First Instance Tribunal is chaired by former Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry. The other members of the tribunal are Dr Paul Wright, Dr Michael Coore, Dr Paul Turner, George McPherson and Cliff Williams.
CLAIMS OF INCORRECT RESULTS
The Kingston Cup, which was for three-year-old colts and geldings, was declared a dead heat by the placing judges, but since then, there have been a lot of comments by punters on social media claiming that the result was incorrect.
Lorna Gooden, general manager of SVREL, said her company is in full agreement with the decision to turn over the matter to the First Instance Tribunal.
“The board and management team of SVREL, prides ourselves on the fact that we conduct our operations with transparency,” said Gooden. “We will continue to do so. It is in this vein that we are thankful that the Commission accepted our attorneys’ submission on the error of the process, which was being undertaken and welcome the review of this matter by an independent tribunal.”
Meanwhile, Clovis Metcalfe, chairman of JRC, said the First Instance Tribunal was appointed to investigate in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.
“It was agreed out of an abundance of caution and to avoid any potential conflict of interest, we thought it best that the investigations be undertaken by the First Instance Tribunal,” said Metcalfe. “We at the Commission will delegate responsibility of the photo-finish result to the First Instance Tribunal and that is expected to be completed in another three weeks. I am happy with this because I think it is right way for transparency and for the integrity of the sport.”