Oversight stalls night horse racing

PLANS for the installation of floodlights so night racing can be introduced to local horse racing are being stalled by a government oversight.

Addressing owners, trainers and media yesterday, gathered for the drawing for post positions for Saturday’s feature Betting Levy Board Stewards’ Cup, BLB chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh said plans for the improvement of racing have been hindered by failure of governments both past and present to implement regulations for the proper collection of taxes under the Betting Act passed in 1989. Chadeesingh said: “Because of this, the BLB has been unable to eatablish a compliance unit to audit and put in place proper systems to ensure the collection of all taxes on bets placed in private betting pools by punters.” He said the BLB collected $19 million in taxes last year, but that figure is unable to run the industry. “We must find ways to develop the industry further,” he stated, “lights are to be installed at the track for night racing, the plant has to be refurbished, more stables are to be built, and stakes has to be improved.” He  made a call to government to give the green-light to the BLB to operate  entertainment Centres, similar to those at Woodbine and other North American tracks.

Chadeesingh also touched on the struggle to assist the Arima Race Club, and said Saturday’s sponsorship was the biggest for the season and will cost the tax collecting agency $320,000. Meanwhile, Cash Wager will line up in Gate 6 when he defends his sprint title in Saturday’s feature. The position was drawn by trainer John O’Brien at the draw for post positions held at the Regency Room of the Ambassador Hotel, Long Circular Road, St James, yesterday. The five-year-old son of Valid Wager, who ran a corker behind Sugar Mike in his only start this term, will renew acquaintance with regular partner Nobel Abrego in the 1200 metres event. Drawn to race on the inside of last year’s winner is Sugar Mike, whom he beat into third place in this same event, with Man Of Class in Gate 7 on his outside. Sugar Mike, who has dominated the top bracket this season, winning seven of  his eight starts will have leading rider Brian Harding in his plate, while the consistent creole from trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj’s barn will have Anthony Stephen in the irons. Drawn in the window position in the event labelled the Sprint Championship of the Southern Caribbean was Napoleon, with Fortunate Flag occupying the extreme position in the eight-horse field.

Representing the new batch of imports and the youngest generation in the speed contest is Senor Gucci. This juvenile which hails from trainer Shaffique Khan’s yard will start from the No 2 slot. Completing the strong cast going after the purse worth $100,00 is Miss Lover Lover in Gate Three and Movietowne Magic in four. Post positions were also drawn for the nine runners in the Derek Cozier Memorial Turf Classic Trophy, co-feature over 1,725 metres on Saturday’s ten-race programme. In this race for West Indian-bred three-year-olds, Super Grey was drawn in Gate No 1 and Naturelly Class in the No 9 slot. Veteran English jockey George Duffield will be flying in from London to ride in both races. He is booked to ride Movietowne Magic in the Stewards’ Cup and Underdinfluence in the Turf Classic Trophy.

Following are runners, positions and jockeys for both features: BETTING LEVY BOARD STEWARDS CUP (GRADE 1) PURSE $100,000 - 1200 METRES -  1. NAPOLEON - R JADOO; 2. SENOR GUCCI - G LABAN; 3. MISS LOVER LOVER - N MANGALEE;  4. MOVIETOWNE MAGIC - G DUFFIELD; 5. SUGAR MIKE - B HARDING;  6. CASH WAGER - N ABREGO;  7. MAN OF CLASS - A STEPHEN; 8. FORTUNATE FLAG - R LATCHMAN.
DEREK COZIER MEMORIAL TURF CLASSIC TROPHY - PURSE $60,000 - 1725 METRES - 1. SUPER GREY - A STEPHEN; 2. CELEBRATION TIME - H EMAMALIE; 3. FULL OF PROMISES - L KEIZER; 4. BOUND TO DOT COM - N ABREGO; 5. UNDISPUTED - B. HARDING; 6. UNDERDINFLUENCE - G DUFFIELD;  7. GOLDEN HONOUR - N MANGALEE;  8. SWEET TEMPO - W GALVIZ;  9. NATURELLY CLASSY - R JADOO.