THE 11-RACE programme which was originally scheduled to be run at Caymanas Park on Monday, but was brought forward to today due to torrential rain, has been abandoned.
With islandwide showers associated with Hurricane Wilma continuing, a decision was taken by CTL yesterday to abandon the Hi-Pro sponsored meet, featuring the $1 million Governor-General's Stakes over 2000 metres and the $500,000 Hi-Pro Ace Trophy over 1300 for two-year-olds.
CTL's assistant clerk of the course, Kingsley Gentles, told The Gleaner yesterday that the flood waters which had affected several barns in the stable area has receded to the point where trainers directly affected have started cleaning up and returning to their stables.
Among those affected were leading trainer Wayne DaCosta and Gary Subratie who control large strings of horses.
Gentles disclosed that remedial work on the breakaway at the two-furlong point of the course has not yet started. However, exercise gallops will resume this morning but that part of the course would not be in use.
He added that entries will be accepted this morning inside the Racing Office for Saturday's Jamaica Livestock Association raceday featuring the Supreme Feeds Trophy two-year-old race and the JLA Trophy over 1600 metres for overnight allowance horse.
While things are expecting to return to normal by Saturday, officials at CTL are still concerned about the spate of bad weather.
- O.C.
