Cliff WilliamsWITH THE divestment issues being on hold indefinitely, or until some yet-to-be-named date in 2007, the headlines over the last 60 days or so have been focused strictly on racing matters, and are likely to remain so, at least until the close of the 2005 racing year in three weeks.
As far as negative news go, the failure to get 2005 Derby, St. Leger and Superstakes winner Miracle Man to contest the 2005 Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico, and the reversal on appeal by the appellate body of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) of the raceday operation stewards' decision to disqualify a winner from first in an important race, are the main talking points.
For those who may not be aware the belated attempt to get the dual Classic winner to exploit its eligibility for contesting the Caribbean Classic ended in somewhat predictable failure as the horse, sent to Miami for quarantine purposes in preparation for shipment, was found to have traits of 'tick fever', resulting in it being sent back to these shores after a week existing in a confined space.
The sending of the animal's blood samples in advance to the United States authorities hit a snag, as its arrival coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday celebrations and it made its destination too late.
EXPENSIVE EXERCISE
This rather expensive exercise, costing all told in excess of US$60,000 (J$388,140.00) as I understand it, was a bit of a long shot given the non-existence of direct flights to Puerto Rico at the appropriate time, and the likelihood that all horses in Jamaica are exposed to 'tick fever', and most develop the trait without even falling ill.
Long shot or not, I simply cannot blame the JRC and sporting owner Joseph Duany for making the attempt, and we should not despair as there could be another opportunity sooner than we think.
I think it is good that JRC chairman, Rudolph Muir, is positive about the lessons learnt from this episode, and going forward he intends to ensure that arrangements for participation in the future is not likely to present the insurmountable logistical challenge encountered in this particular attempt.
REVERSED DECISION
The matter of the reversal of the raceday operations to disqualify the winner of the
$2.5 million RaceII Supreme Ventures Ltd. sponsored two-year-old event has not gone over well, and once again the competence of the officials is being called into question.
I have to make the point once again, though, that the decision to reverse is nothing more than a different view taken by a panel with far more time at its disposal to form opinions. Therefore, I cannot in all reasonableness come to a conclusion that the appellate body is totally right and the raceday operation stewards totally wrong.
In looking at the positive newsmakers, the close race for the 2005 Jockeys' Champion-ship has been given so much media attention I find that even persons not normally interested in what happens at Caymanas Park is seeking my opinion on the likely outcome with Trevor Simpson and Brian Harding doing so much justice to
good, honest and competitive jockeyship.
In the battle for ownership four investors, Alexander Haber, Joseph Duany, Howard Hamilton and Elias Haloute, are separated by less than a total of $750,000, while breeders Orange Valley Estates and HAM Stables are a mere $400,000 apart.
With a few substantial purses still outstanding, there is clearly going to be an interesting finish for championship honours in these categories, and it will add to the year-end excitement that we so desperately need to keep optimism about the future prospects of our beloved racing industry alive.
