Mckay

OPERATIONS stewards at Caymanas Park had to take preventative measures last Saturday, summoning security personnel and warning 12 jockeys after reports surfaced of an impending 'business race' in the final event of the afternoon.

Representatives from both Caymanas Track Limited's (CTL) racing office and the stewards on duty confirmed the incident, but declined to go on record.

Swift action by stewards

Racing Along understands that swift action by the stewards resulted in CTL's racing office calling in its security chief, Jason McKay, to ensure no jockey who participated in the event was harassed by 'outside forces' after the event.

A 7-1 outsider, HIGH ROLLER, ridden by non-claiming apprentice Carlton Malcolm for trainer Andrew McDonald, won the race, a 1000-metre straight event for non-winners-of-four.

There were no reports of harassment after the event but officials at Caymanas Park said word started spreading before the race that a 'fix' was being organised by gangsters from a west Kingston community.

Jockeys assaulted

In the past, several jockeys, trainers and even jockeys' agents have been assaulted at the track.

In a most recent case, several men attacked trainer Robert Taylor and a groom near their stables after RED GENERAL scored a massive upset, spoiling what was said to be a fixed race.

Earlier this year, jockey Shane Ellis was assaulted and Lawrence Allen, another rider, was intimidated by thugs and had to be escorted from the track by police.