Grooms wary of security changes at track

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

HEAD of the grooms' association at Caymanas Park, Errol Thomas, on Wednesday said should any of his members' safety be put in jeopardy due to what he called "being cheap at any cost", Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) would be in for a rude awakening.

The grooms' boss said his executive plans to write CTL about its lack of consultation regarding what he would only reveal as "pending new security-personnel arrangements" at the island's lone racetrack.

Thomas said his group would be most affected by any such change, yet CTL, at no point, sought feedback from the grooms.

"We understand there might be some new security-personnel arrangements coming for January but the people at CTL, who are making what I believe is a cheap decision, have not taken our safety into consideration," he said.

Growing concern

"When they are long gone to their homes and families, far away from the racetrack, it is grooms who are here, some from dusk till dawn, with the horses, putting their lives at risk," he pointed out.

Thomas said due to the nature of some horses' lameness, grooms have to walk the animals to the Port Henderson beach, leaving their stables at Caymanas Park from anywhere between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

"Right now, we feel relatively safe moving around the compound during those times, as the present security-personnel arrangements are working.

"However, because of cheapness, we understand this is likely to change and we will not stand for it," Thomas warned.

"We are airing our disapproval with what is to take place, but it won't be a pretty situation down here should any of our members as much as lodge a safety complaint with the executive," he said.

Meanwhile, CTL's acting chief executive officer and director of marketing, Christopher Armond, said the company was aware of the grooms' concerns, and pointed out that the "process isn't complete".

"We know of the grooms' concerns but the issue is at a delicate stage and we can't comment on it just now," he said.

Caymanas Park has had safety issues in its stable areas, resulting in the shooting deaths of two trainers and a security guard in recent years.

However, since security was ramped up following the shooting death of trainer Donovan Bruce in November of last year, there has been no report of any violent incident in the stable area.