Grooms strike looms over ARC racing

RACING action at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, tomorrow is in jeapardy. Grooms of horses stabled at the centralised racing facility has threatened to withhold their labour because they feel they are being slighted by trainers.

The grooms are upset that a meeting with the Racehorse Trainers Association (RTA)planned for last month did not come off. So the grooms have decided to flex their muscles by withholding labour to draw attention to their demands for a further increase in pay. Their threat, if carried out, could have telling effect since horses entered to race are required to pass a veterinarian examination today to be eligible to participate in events on tomorrow’s 10-race programme. President of the Grooms Association Terrance Thomas claimed  the RTA reneged on  their agreement to meet with his body.

Thomas said the grooms kept their end of the bargain four months ago. He said grooms were previously paid $150 for every horse in their care and it went up to $175 on a temporary agreement, when they asked for a $50 increase which would have given them $200 per horse. Now the grooms are proposing the $200 per horse and five percent of winning stakes, an increase over the previous 2 1/2 percent.  They were hoping to have this matter discussed on June 30, when stakes in races were expected to be increased. The increase was based on a commitment given by the Betting Levy Board (BLB), to further support  the industry with an additional $29,000 every raceday from June. The promise would have seen the BLB contributions to stakes moving from $136,000 to $165,000 per raceday.

Shaffique Khan president of the RTA, disclaimed his association reneged on meeting with the grooms, but were awaiting word on the instrument of appointments to members of the new Betting Levy Board before holding such discussions with them. He said the grooms knew of the delay regarding the instruments of appointment, which he said was only given out yesterday, and felt  they should have shown the same patience as owners, who continued to pay their salaries, while absorbing other costs in the upkeep of their horses. “Everyone in the industry knows there is a stalemate with regard to increases in prizes. The delay meant no funds were being made to the ARC although racing continued,” he added. Khan also said a number of days have returned dope free, yet no prize monies  were paid to owners and felt the grooms should be more considerate in their stand. “Trainers cannot burden owners with additional expences when monies owed to them are not forthcoming,” he said. “It is also impossible to contemplate any rise in salaries when stakes are not paid on time,” he added.

Khan promised to meet with the grooms today, with the hope of planning a further meeting to air their grouses and when pending issues can be ironed out. The BLB committee, which will again be headed by  Roop Chan Chadeesingh  will comprise members Francis Joseph, Ronald Kowlessar, Wilma Primus, Dr Roger d’Abadie, Tyrone Kowlessar, Peter Wharton, Kearn Govia, Allen Trestrail, Dr Ryan Shim and Maniram Maharaj. While the issue of the withholding of labour by grooms was in the air yesterday horses were out plentiful going through their paces on the main exercise course.

Following are the recorded gallops over the last two days:
WEDNESDAY: 400 METRES: I’m No Hunter - 250.2, handily. Soca Tempo - 28.72, pacing. Duchess Trembly - 27.15, handily. Sunny - 28.97, pacing. Ex Fran Lou - 29.62, pacing. Cash Reward - 26.57, handily. Isle Be There - 29.99, pacing. Ruby Scores - 28.88, pacing. Skylite - 27.50, pacing. Skye - 29.92, pacing. Undisputed - 27.26, handily. Showmethemoney - 26.34, handily. Francesca - 29.99, pacing. Scandal Sheet - 29.92, pacing. Laura’s Boy, Java Takeover and Java In Style - 23.20, good.  Music Man - 28.14, pacing.
600 METRES: New Star - 38.65, handily. Piece of Cake - 42.56, pacing. Guatama and Magen - 37.57, good. Gold Conveyor - 44.79, pacing. Song of Freedom - 44.98, pacing. Game High - 38.92, handily. Preffered Share - 42.67, pacing. Hatrick - 42.12, pacing. Red Hill - 43.73, pacing. Squeezed Moment - 44.50, pacing. Sunday Jewel and All Set For Balttle - 42.23, pacing. Indian Game and Little Romeo - 37.58, good. Ex Not Very Nice - 44.96, pacing. Fromnowuntil - 41.59, handily. First Time - 44.71, pacing. Bajan Connection - 44.09, pacing. Golden Shufleur - 38.57, handily. Isle Be True - 44.31, pacing.
800 METRES: Outrageous Victory - 59.99, pacing. Millenium Reign - 59.96, pacing. Chanticleer - 57.93, pacing. Finest Gem - 59.93, pacing. Maid of Honour - 59.06, pacing. Kalyan - 59.98, pacing. Sera’s Trick - 59.12, p-acing. Panama Canal - 58.09, pacing. Tricky Guy - 57.19, pacing.
1000 METRES: Van Nistelrooy - 1:04.65, handily. Phantom Bidder - 1:11.36, pacing. Paula’s First - 1:08.68, handily. Once In A Lifetime - 1:11.12, pacing.
1200 METRES: Ring Dang Do - 1:20.33, pacing.

YESTERDAY: 400 METRES: Red Hill - 23.92, good. Invincibility - 28.93, pacing. Kalyan - 22.46, good. Cyber Five - 29.40, pacing. Scandal Sheet - 27.77, pacing. Ex Honey - 27.20, easy (Boxes). Joint Venture - 27.55, easy. Ex Willshewontshe and Ex Rhythmic Dancer - 28.98, pacing.  Mandela - 26.77, handily. Ring Dange Do - 29.75, pacing. Splitting Image - 27.65, easy. Maid of Honour - 26.17, easy. Groomsman - 28.55, pacing.
600 METRES: Cotonou - 35.63, good. Firestorm - 43.79, pacing. Isle Be There - 43.95, pacing. Guardian Angel - 41.57, handily. Preffered Share - 42.58, pacing. Fortunate Flag - 43.78, pacing. Phantom Bidder - 43.99, pacing. Golden Honour - 39.01, handily. Chanticleer - 42.66, pacing. Trying Something - 37.77, good. Chief of Staff - 44.37, pacing. Cheerleader - 40.08, handily. Panama Belle - 43.84, pacing.
800 METRES: Pile of Cash and Lady Croft - 55.68, pacing. Punto A Punto - 58.70, pacing. Gold Conveyor - 57.42, pacing. Bandinthong - 59.99, pacing. Hyarima - 59.93, pacing. Skye - 58.15, pacing. Fresh Mandate and Bound To Dot Com - 59.99, pacing. Not To Worrie - 53.37, handily. Squeezed Moment - 59.27, pacing. Honoured Bound - 54.53, handily.
1000 METRES: Francesca - 1:14.83, pacing. Millenium Reign - 1:09.77, handily.