Caymanas Track Limited(CTL), radio stations on collision course

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), the sole promoters of horse racing in Jamaica, and two local radio stations which broadcast live racing from the track, are on a collision course.

Earlier this week CTL's acting chief executive officer, Chris Ormond, wrote to KLAS Sports Radio Limited and RJR Communi-cations Group which operates HITZ 92 FM, calling on the stations to have a one-minute delay on race-by-race commentary from Caymanas Park effective today.

The letter said: "... We write to advise that effective for the race meeting of Saturday October 23, 2010 and onwards that there is to be a one-minute delay of the broadcasting of races on your station."

When contacted on the reason for this new development, Armond, without giving away much, said on Thursday: "It's a board decision ... . It has become necessary to protect our interest in the prevailing market place," recalling that the Danny Melville-led board of CTL in the 1990s implemented a similar policy.

Cold water

Executive chairman of KLAS Sports Radio Limited, Alston Stewart, has, however, poured cold water on the request.

A defiant Stewart, when asked on Thursday if KLAS would comply with the directive, said "Definitely not!"

Continuing, Stewart added: "My arrangement is to carry live racing and this was sold to our sponsors (United Bookmakers Association). "Our listeners depend on us for live coverage and CTL cannot unilaterally give me 3 1/2 days notice to a long-standing agreement that is over seven years old."

He added that whether it's a minute or an hour's delay, it makes a significant difference to the station.

"We are promoting live racing not delayed racing and will continue to carry live racing as we are contracted to do ...

"Unless KLAS is forcibly stopped on Saturday, we will be carrying live racing," said Stewart. Francois St. Juste, manager of radio services at the RJR Communications group, confirmed yesterday that they had received a letter from Armond advising of the one-minute delay.

"I was made aware of the direct-ive on Thursday and at this point in time, have to speak to Mr Armond to seek some clarity before making a decision based on his arguments.

"I have been trying to get him all day, but up to mid-afternoon was unable to make contact by phone," explained St. Juste, who added that to comply with the directive would present "some technical difficulties".