ROCKED by strife and strikes since last year, the local horse racing industry was plunged into further uncertainty Thursday when the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA) voted to withhold nominations for the Heroes Weekend holiday race meets of October 14 and 16.
Vincent Edwards, vice-president of the JRTA, yesterday said JRTA members "were tired of talking" and decided to take action at a meeting called to update them on discussions its executive had with Minister of State Errol Ennis on September 25.
"Arising out of the report, the members took the decision that they wanted an interim management at Caymanas Track Limited immediately; security; and Public Works Department to come in and fix the roads, which are in a deplorable condition," said Edwards. "Those are the three things they asked for and the letter will be delivered to the Minister this morning."
Following a directive by Minister Ennis in mid-September that the entire Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) board resign by month-end "to give him a free hand to restructure the industry", a JRTA delegation, including Edwards and president Lee Clarke, had met with Minister Ennis to air the trainers' grouses.
Although the parties were tight-lipped when pressed to reveal specific details, it appeared as if a conciliatory resolution was reached.
"I can say that from what we've heard, it sounds very good for the future of racing," Edwards said then.
Minister Ennis, who was this year handed responsibility of the horse racing industry by Finance Minister Omar Davies, said both parties had left the meeting "reasonably satisfied".
Edwards, however, has contended that Ennis has not lived up to his promises.
"There was an arrangement that immediately after the meeting he would issue two statements," he said. "One was to clarify the misinformation that the JRC board was asked to resign. We feel that chairman Ren Gonsalves was actually humiliated out of the position and that should be clarified. There is this impression that he was asked to resign previously, did not, and was kicked out. He's a part of us, an ex-trainer and after good years of service, should not be treated that way.
"He also said he was sending a letter to the Commission to advise CTL that the JRTA is a registered, recognised organisation and should be treated as such and that if they didn't he would regard them as refusing to respond to 'compliance', that was the word he used. That was not done and the men are vexed. They said it seems as if what we went there for was a joke."
Edwards said the trainers felt they weren't "reaching anywhere" by going to the Minister and conditions at Caymanas Park are so deplorable that the best thing to do "was to close it down and let them fix it".
When his office was contacted, Minister Ennis was said to be "off the island" and is due to return Monday. Minister Davies was "unavailable" and up until late yesterday, did not respond to numerous messages left with either of his secretaries.
Reacting to what could be the third strike by trainers at Caymanas Park since May last year, CTL's president and chief executive officer, Rose Campbell, described the situation as "sad".
"It is sad but as customary we've not been officially advised of any grievances," she said. "No member of our board has been advised but we understand that a plan is afoot to withhold nominations.
However, I want to assure trainers who want to nominate horses that we'll have the necessary and requisite security in place."
Campbell further described the JRTA's actions as "kindergarten", adding: "I think it is about time we all be big men and women, sit around the table and discuss the issues."
If the trainers' do take strike action, CTL, Campbell said, stands to lose sales of $40 million minimum from which government would earn revenue of $2.8 million.
By Ainsley Walters
Staff Reporter
