Caymanas Track Limited Chairman Pat Rousseau speaking at the Caymanas Track Limited luncheon at Knutsford Court Hotel yesterday. - Contributed

CAYMANAS Track Limited Chairman Pat Rousseau yesterday outlined impressive plans for Caymanas Park, including night racing, phased renovation and a revamped purse structure at the island's lone race track.

The CTL chairman, who took office in 2007, succeeding William Chin-See, said the cutting of quinella betting in fields of eight or less runners has paid off for the promoting company.

He said profits are now being made on such events, barring top-class races, and pointed to coming changes in the purse structure, based on the number of horses in a race.

Incentives

The CTL chairman plans to offer incentives for races with 10 or more runners, and said two and three-year-old maiden races are to benefit in a big way from purse increases.

Among Rousseau's ambitious plans is to make Superstakes Day the premier racing event in the Caribbean. He has set his target for this year, and plans to embark on a major clean-up campaign to improve facilities at the park.

The jockeys' room which, he said, was in a bad condition, would also be renovated before year-end.

Speaking at a luncheon to award members of the racing press, Rousseau got the biggest applause when he announced that his board was looking to install lights to facilitate night racing at Caymanas Park.

"We're investigating the installation of lights," he said. "There's no doubt, in my mind, we can run races in the night."

The CTL boss went on to explain the origins of Wednesday racing and how the midweek meets had become what he described as "inoperative".

"Wednesday racing was based on a principle, which is now inoperative. It will be tossed. Previously, all retail shopping downtown closed at noon on Wednesdays. That was the basis for Wednesday racing. Many now remain open for the entire day, Mondays to Saturdays," he explained.

"We're looking at what would be the best day in the week to have night racing. We can start at 4:30 and run to 8 p.m. We're getting quotations on thermal lights, solar lighting and lighting connected to the power system," Rousseau added.

A tunnel is also being proposed, leading from the stands to the infield, a project which, Rousseau said, would enhance night racing.

"A tunnel to the infield would allow access without disrupting the meet or having vehicles drive across the track. It would improve the opportunities for racing at night while there are non-racing events going on," he pointed out.