Local racing fans face blank weekend

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Local race fans are facing a blank weekend.

Stakeholders within the racing industry yesterday voted to withhold nominations for race meets as of Saturday.

A press release from promoters Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) yesterday said the company has been advised of the decision of the stakeholders to withdraw support from racing at Caymanas Park as of June 18.

This is due to several unresolved matters. At the top of the list is a refusal by bookmakers to pay an increased 10 per cent rights fee. They have further indicated the need for government's approval for the resumption of Sunday racing with the full involvement of the CTL Off-Track betting parlours.

Howard Hamilton, president of the Thoroughbred, Owners and Breeders Association, said the decision of the stakeholders at yesterday's well-attended meeting in the Trainers' Room was unanimous.

"We will protest until our demands are satisfied," said Hamilton, a prominent owner and breeder.

present at the meeting

Among those present at the meeting were the president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association, Vin Edwards; Richie Todd, president of the United Racehorse Trainers' Association of Jamaica; Errol Thomas, president of the Grooms' Association; Du'von Litchmore, president of the Jockeys' Guild; Garfield Reid, president of the Farriers Association of Jamaica; and Barbara Boreland-Williams, president of the OTBs Association. Camile Buchanan, CTL's newly appointed director of operations, also attended the meeting.

The stakeholders called on the finance minister to address the issues as a matter of urgency, issues which they feel are hampering the smooth running of racing.

At last Thursday's Hall of Fame Awards dinner at the Terra Nova Hotel, State Minister for Finance, Senator Arthur Williams, who has portfolio responsibility for racing, said the impasse between CTL and the bookmakers over rights fees had been going through the mediation process.

Senator Williams, in his address, said he needed another two weeks to complete deliberations for a June 23 report.

In light of the minister's disclosure, it was felt in some quarters that the stakeholders would have put their protest on hold. But as Hamilton pointed out: "The time for waiting is over". Nominations for Saturday's race day are usually made on Wednesday afternoons.