Same track, same behaviour

Jan 05, 2010 Sports

-Time to change culture

Here is another example of track invasion at the Rising Sun Turf Club last Sunday.

Same track, same behaviour and it now seems only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs that could force a change in the rules that govern the sport of horseracing in Guyana.
Once again, spectators in the stands, media and race officials bore witness to another disgraceful display by turfites during the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales-organised Sprint Classic Meeting, at the Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday.
It appeared as though the organisers’ in-charge of the day’s activity intentionally or unintentionally omitted the importance of securing the safety of jockeys, animals and well-behaved spectators, who paid their hard earned cash to witness and support their event and enjoy a day of exciting racing with friends and family.
Turfites were allowed onto the track with a race in progress and as was reported in the recent past, they were seen running alongside the horses which could have resulted in serious injuries to them, jockeys or even the horses.
It was clear to see that the security personnel that manned those gates were either compromised or did not take seriously their roles of ensuring that the horses were given clear and unimpeded space during the duration of the race.
Instead, they were seen opening the gates while the horses approached the finish line, thereby allowing turfites to pose a danger to the race competitors as well as block even the media from accessing advantageous positions to snap action photographs.
There is too much indiscipline involved in a sport that is once again evolving into the mainstream of sports in this country with the corporate community willing to provide large support to it.
Despite the cry of economic hardships, this particular sport has received tremendous support from the business sector and it is time that they produce the type of standard befitting of such generosity.
Tracks need to improve their infrastructure, while adequate security personnel with the proper equipment to deter encroachment on the track must be retained to guarantee that jockeys and horses are not placed at risk due to a lapse in enforcing safety measures.
A few tracks have made stringent efforts to change the culture of such behaviour, but there are still some that seems reluctant to move in a direction that could improve the whole structure of the sport.
It must be noted that very often highly influential executives of entities who offer sponsorship are present and they too notice and lament the lack of discipline on display by turfites and the time has come for the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) to get more integrally involved in setting the rules for clubs hosting Meetings.
It could save the sport from unnecessary embarrassment that could ultimately stymie the progress it is enjoying right now.
If measures are put in place to curtail such unhelpful occurrences, horseracing in Guyana could return to the peak it reached in the 60’s and 70’s or even surpass those periods.
Turfites should not be allowed to enter the track until the race is completed and this year must see changes being effected to safeguard all involved.