Howard Hamilton

Like an old nag limping out its last days, this country's only horse-racing facility at Caymanas Park slouches towards inevitable decline and decay.

Its glory days long past, its archaic structures totter under the weight of trying to keep up with the demands of the horse-racing industry, while its filthy surroundings provide a haven for the lowlifes existing illegally and precariously on the fringes of a legitimate and important business and sport. Additionally, many of the off-track betting facilities mirror the same dilapidated physical structure and unsavoury atmosphere and are a repellant to new customers.

Things have changed a great deal since Caymanas Park and many of these off-track stations were established, but sadly, the facilities have not kept pace with changing times, and the present poor physical accommodation is at once an eyesore and an embarrassment to the modernity that we are striving to achieve as a country in so many other areas.

We should not wait until they have coughed and choked out their last before acting to give them a new lease on life.

Urgent upgrade

Any critical and objective look at the Caymanas racing plant will point to a need for urgent upgrade of the facilities to provide a more comfortable and efficient plant for all who must use it - trainers, grooms, jockeys, punters and members of the public who take an interest in horse racing.

Many feel that the plant and its surroundings have deteriorated to the point where the interests of the industry would be better served by relocating. This would allow racing to continue, maintaining the essential cash flow, while modern facilities are being built

As the business of horse racing grows and adapts to changes such technological advances and consumers demands, it is more and more being recognised that operators and stakeholders of racing plants have to find ways to maximise the revenue potential of these facilities, while building them into public attractions that will lure new and different customers to horse racing.

Commercially viable

The British Horseracing Board, in a recent gambling review has proposed new ways to improve their racecourses and racing plants. The review recognised first of all, that with races taking place on only a limited number of days per year, racecourses are underutilised assets.

It proposed that each racecourse should be allowed to operate betting facilities on non-race days, mirroring those available on race days and in betting offices, and to introduce a commercially viable number of ancillary gaming machines as part of a leisure environment in which, inter alia, food and drink are available. The board argues that such deregulatory changes will enable racecourses to increase the use of their infrastructure and assets and enable the racing industry to have the opportunity to significantly increase its income.

I envision just such a commonsense approach to a restructured Caymanas Park and our off-track betting facilities.

Government must be prepared to return the racing facilities to racing interests who can join with the private sector in a comprehensive renovation of the racing plant. They must provide the framework whereby the private sector can spearhead this essential investment.

The current taxation policy will not attract the needed investment. Divestment is no longer an option - it is the only way forward. Ways must be found to provide the capital needed. We cannot sit around for another four years waiting on some decision.

A modern new racing facility would become an attraction in itself, offering additional entertainment and other forms of gambling. It must include the kinds of technological investment that other areas around the world are using for greater efficiency to the business of horse racing.

Having established this, we will find that comprehensive and aggressive marketing will be necessary to attract new customers. Those who follow horse racing and racetrack developments in other countries will be familiar with marketing strategies that are targeting families and population segments such as women, and providing the kinds of entertainment geared towards such segments.

Maintenance programmes

Caymanas Track Limited is projecting increased revenue this year, from growth in business at the track, off-track and simulcast races. It is to the credit of the current directors that they have successfully lobbied for reduced taxation and have, therefore, been able to generate surpluses which can finance some of the urgent maintenance programmes.

My understanding is that these programmes are being stalled because of the beaurocracy inherent in Government-owned or controlled entities. Perhaps, we should also be considering how much more could be earned in the long term, if there is significant investment to upgrade the ageing infrastructure while a new plant is being built.

As with so many other areas, we may all agree that this is necessary. But without the will to do it, this simple and clear-cut solution could well be seen as a task of the magnitude of cleaning the Aegean stables. The question is, is there a Hercules in our new government to get the job done?

Howard L. Hamilton, C.D, J.P is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited. He is the current president of Thoroughbred Owners ' and Breeders' Association. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.