By V. Lloyd Simpson, Contributor
NAUGHTY BY NATURE (Winston Griffiths) poses in the winners' enclosure with proud connections including owner/trainer Paul J. Fung (holding reins left) and groom Clifford Byrd after her fighting win in the 64th running of the (Courts) Jamaica Oaks last Saturday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
THE PROBLEM of the growing count of lame horses put into races with the effect of the pillaging of punter's pockets when they lose is becoming an almost intolerable burden on the horseracing public. They complain on raceday, after raceday about the viciousness of the situation, but sign of abatement seems to be likely in the foreseeable future.
Naughty By Nature, the Paul Fung-trained winner of the Thornbird Stakes run over 1400, brought the problem starkly into focus after a dismal performance in the 1000 Guineas when she finished sixth in the event behind Aero Commander whom she had thoroughly walloped in their previous encounter.
The situation was so bad that even the trainer of Aero Commander, Percival Hussey, expressed doubt that his filly might be able to prevail in the 1000 Guineas against his Paul Fung-trained adversary.
The powers-that-be, however, were unable to or didn't inform the public on the day before that Naughty By Nature had been coughing and might have been a non-runner. She was allowed to run without a word about her physical condition, and in the end robbed thousands of bettors across the country of their hard earned cash - as well as probably thousands of pool players who had seen her as a banker.
The blame must be placed on CTL - the promoting company CTL that had put an early warning system in place to deal with the sudden occurrence of the illness of a horse listed for running the next day.
If trainers are flouting the system they should be fined and suspended if any omission on their part is proven.
The following is the design of the 'early warning system'.
When a horse falls suddenly ill, it is the duty of the trainer to report it to the gate, from which point the request by phone goes out for a vet to intervene with the necessary opinion and action. If the trainer is away from his stable, then it is the duty of a groom on the premises to get in touch with him or to inform the gate at once without trying even to get the trainer.
If Naughty By Nature had shown signs of illness, of the coughing problem which members of the public are now hearing about, what has Paul Fung to say about the matter?
CTL should let the public know the full facts of the matter, instead of letting it pass without investigation and revelation.
The public is being taken for a ride as lame horses, having to be suddenly withdrawn, litter the programme, raceday after raceday. If the system has broken down for whatever reason or reasons, members of the public should be told.
Too many favourites are savaging the raceday programmes due to lameness which need not be suddenly announced before the race.
Note: Naughty By Nature subsequently won the Jamaica Oaks at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Ironically, Aero Commander had to be withdrawn because of lameness.
