Rain disrupts Caymanas regrading exercise

The heavy rains that have lashed the island in recent weeks have caused a disruption to the regrading exercise currently under way at Caymanas Park. However, local horse racing interests agree that in spite of the constant downpour, the surface at the track has held up well over the period.

Earlier in the year, several racehorse trainers and jockeys complained about the poor conditions of the racetrack. Marketing, Communication and Sponsorship Vice President at Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), Gail Abrahams, said those complaints did not fall on deaf ears.

Abrahams noted that while work on the track had begun, the exercise has since been halted due to the recent heavy rains.

“The track has been regraded three times since August,” Abrahams said. “It was again scheduled for the first week of November and the equipment is already on site, but we await a break in the weather.”

Abrahams said although the work has not been completed, the track has been holding up well at race meets, such as the recent staging of the Jamaica Derby

“While there has been significant rainfall islandwide, this did not affect one of the biggest days on the racing calendar,” she mentioned. “We were impressed to see the support of our punters, who followed our protocols for the full 10 races on Derby Day, which proved to be a very successful and enjoyable day for all stakeholders.”

United Racehorse Trainers Association President Ryan Darby agreed that the track did well on the Jamaican Derby race day and said there was not much complaining from the jockeys.

He pointed out that the rain actually helped to improve the surface of the track.

“We have had complaints before, but over the last few weeks with the rain, the surface has been doing fairly well,” Darby noted, before pointing out that the trainers have been complaining about the irregular regrading of the surface.

“There is inconsistency with the track and I don’t know what much can be done about it under the circumstances with the amount of rain that we are having, but a lot of trainers have been complaining about the inconsistency of it,” Darby said. “We want additional sand to be put on the track, which apparently will be addressed as soon as the opportunity is right.”

Abrahams said these concerns have been heard, and stated that upgrading and improving the conditions across Caymanas Park has been a focal point for the management team.

She added that work will continue on the track once the weather allows.

“As part of our comprehensive disaster mitigation plan, SVREL will continue to stay tuned to developments in the weather systems, prepare and care for the track and its environs,” Abrahams said.

Sharla Williams