Orville Clarke, Freelance Reporter

Vin Edwards re-elected president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association . - File

Former Member of Parliament, Vin Edwards, was re-elected president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association (JRTA) at the annual general meet on Sunday in the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park.

As he did three years ago 'Uncle Vin', as he is affectionately called by fellow trainers, turned it into a one-horse race, whipping the incumbent third vice-president, Frank Parham, by 43 votes to eight.

Having taken leave of absence from the association in recent months and indicating then that he would be stepping down as president, Edwards paved the way for trainers Parham and Harry Parsard to throw their hats into the ring.

However, Parsard withdrew minutes before the meeting due to what he described as "issues" having to do with some of his supporters - who it was said were not paid up members - and this caused a commotion when they were refused entry to the Trainers' Room by security.

Parsard, a paid up member, was able to enter and vote, but the bad vibes prompted him to withdraw from the race.

Tight-lipped

Edwards, who up to the day before the election was mum on whether he would run again for the top post, not surprisingly changed his mind, this after many trainers beseeched him in the past week or so to run for another term. But typical of old politicians there is always one more election to win and 'Uncle Vin' could not resist the temptation and will serve for another two years.

His slate was also voted in - Dalton Lawrence the former second vice-president, elected first vice-president replacing Gresford Smith who did not seek re-election, and Richard Donaldson as second vice-president. There was no provision for the post of third vice-president on this occasion. That post was formerly held by Parham.

Those elected to the full executive were Gary Subratie, Anthony Ferguson, Welsh Soutar, Dalton Sirjue, Peter McMaster and ex-jockey Fitzroy 'Pumpkin' Glispie.

Edwards, 73, said his first priority is "to make sure" that Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) puts in place proper promotion for big race days such as Derby Day and Superstakes Day.

"Because of the enormous amount of purse money offered on those days, the promoting company is unable to make a profit. In other words those racedays are subsidised by CTL.

"That used to be so in Kentucky. Now they are making a profit and we need to move along those lines as well," said the former Member of Parliament (PNP) for Western St. Mary and councillor for the Boscobel division.

As to why he decided to run again, Edwards said: "We were not successful in convincing the first vice-president (Smith) to take over the position and we couldn't leave the affairs of the association to any and any body.

"We have Dalton Lawrence as the first vice-president and he is well qualified, having recently completed his Masters degree in public administration in New York. But he needed some time to become grounded based on the timing of the election and he will definitely be groomed to take over from me in the future.

"The present organisation has reached a stage where it is recognised nationally and internationally and we cannot allow it to run like a fry fish shop," reasoned Edwards, who last October was conferred with the national honour, the Order of Distinction (O.D.), for horseracing and community service.