By Cliff Williams, ContributorIN LAST week's column I took a critical look at some of the proposals of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA), that the body deems necessary for the general improvement of the racing industry and called for a debate on some of the issues raised, as it is my opinion that generally the principal players have been far too dismissive of the organization in the past.
For those who may have missed it and for anyone who may not be aware I dealt with the following.
The proposal for a management and staff audits at the promoting company and the regulatory bodies, sponsors' contribution to purses, the call for the establishment of a super intelligence unit to focus on the prosecution of illegal bookmakers and for more use to be made of the promoting company's simulcast capability.
INTERESTING PROPOSALS
Now on to some other interesting proposals appearing in the document. The JRTA is calling for the creation of a "management team to inject confidence in the industry, and to motivate professionals, punters and the general public alike."
In terms of confidence, from an investment point of view not enough has taken place over the critical breeding sector and the ownership of top class horses.
The JRTA is of the view that in order to save on security and other expenses all stables should be congregated in one area. I am not absolutely sure what is meant by this exactly, as whilst there may indeed be savings, any contagious disease would spread through the equine population far more quickly if this became the reality.
The call by the JRTA for a portion of the near 200 hectare property to be used for joint venture housing, warehouse and shopping complex developments I suppose is worth exploring, but one wonders if with the configuration of the compound it would be all that easy to achieve. Personally, I am of the view, that if we are serious about expansion and development every square centimetre of the area will be required at some point in the future.
FIRM PROPOSAL
What the JRTA is calling a firm proposal is for the establishment of a line of credit by the Government to import horses for re-sale by way of the claiming system.
Could the JRTA please provide details of how such a scheme would work as it is a possible solution to the problem of a shortage of top class horses for racing.
In the prevailing competitive gaming environment, the promoting company desperately needs to be in a position to present very competitive races on a far more consistent basis and everything possible has to be done to make this a reality. Howard Hamilton's call for more handicap races is certainly one solution even without adding one more horse to the population.
I don't think that even after more than a decade there is still sufficient understanding of the Claiming System. In any event the expert classification of horses according to its ability must of necessity produce far more competitive racing than any other arrangement.
MEANINGFUL DEBATE
From my observation there isn't too much happening by way of meaningful debate since the purse increases in July and the reassertion by Government that the promotion of races is to be put in private hands.
The principal players in the industry have gone silent and seemingly have adopted an attitude of waiting to see what will happen next.
In the meantime things continue to worsen for the Sport of Kings.
