Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Good year for horse racing, but improvements needed
This photo shows turfites encroaching on the track as the horses approach the finish line, a feature that must be addressed next year.
By Rawle Welch
There is no doubt horseracing has become one of the major sport industries in Guyana, but there are quite a few things that needs to be rectified in order to raise the standard of operations here.
The 2010 racing season must be classified as one of the busiest and most successful for years with Meets occurring almost twice a month at times and it seemed as though horses, trainers, owners and punters got no reprieve to recuperate.
Then there was the encouraging support of the business community led by Banks DIH and Digicel just to name a few.
However, though the administration of the sport must be commended for ensuring that the strong resurgence that was made a couple of years ago was maintained, there are some major areas that require attention and should be addressed before the start of the new season.
The attempt by a few tracks to improve their facilities to make all associated with the day’s activities comfortable is praiseworthy, but a lot more still needs to be done.
Then there is the issue of the condition of the race tracks both the turf and the dirt and the caretakers responsible for their upkeep must ensure that they are prepared to an acceptable level that will eradicate the numerous complaints that are made.
Though local owners are now more readily prepared and equipped to import horses from Trinidad and Tobago and beyond, the quality of the horses and the breeding stock should be of a higher pedigree to really lift the standard of racing here.
One of the encouraging developments this year was the move to import a photo finish machine by the Port Mourant Turf Club administration and this became necessary after a heated row over two horses (Peaceful and Zenyatta) that the finish line judges could not separate nearly caused punters and connections to engage in what could have been an ugly affair. Luckily it did not meet to that level.
Another issue of contention is the manner in which jockeys go to work.
There should be a set of rules if there isn’t already to govern the way jockeys dress whilst going to ride and that includes what sort of attire is the right set of clothing and shoes.
There has also been talk of owners and handlers using performance enhancing substances on their horses, but with the sport still unregulated due to the lack of legislation, this particular issue could be difficult to detect and confirm.
Just like many other sports, a code for dressing is a standard requirement so the authorities must enforce the rules for jockey and public safety.
But, perhaps, the biggest problem of all is the continued encroachment on the track by punters, horses’ connections and spectators.
This dilemma is a real one that many of the track authorities are either afraid to address of have no answer for, but until someone gets injured then and only then solutions will be found.
All tracks should also have a special area for media access and this is a particular issue that has been raised before, but very little action taken. These are just a few areas of contention that the administration of the sport needs to address in time for the commencement of the new season.
All in all the sport is growing in popularity and the New Year should see another packed calendar of events.
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