ARC told: Put house in order

The Arima Race Club (ARC) have been given a stern warning by the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRR). They were told to clean up their act and to put measures in place to avoid re-occurances of mishaps that have recently plagued the sport and showed it in bad light. The TTRA held a meeting on Tuesday concerning recent incidents in the sport of horseracing and after the lengthy discussions with the ARC recommended measures so that the integrity of the sport is not compromised. “We cannot accept the inefficiencies that are taking place,” Racing Authority chairman Joe Hadeed stated. Hadeed, a former top trainer said they enquired into the start of the event (Race6/Day 19), which was sent off when a runner, Sure Honey was being loaded. “We interviewed starters Bertram Lalsingh and Carlton Ramsaroop and also met with a delegation of the Management Committee of the ARC. After lengthy discussions on the issue, we thought it was most unfortunate and the blame could only be apportioned to the starters,” Hadeed said.

“We made certain recommendations that we think would remedy the situation. We pointed out to the ARC that the handlers of horses must be better managed and recommended a steward be present to supervise the start of all races,” he said. Hadeed also referred to the fiasco involving Man of Class who was given clearance after  weighing in correctly, but was seen to have dropped an object from its weight-bag in video replay of the race. “That  inquiry is still ongoing,” said the chairman. Hadeed said the Clerk Of The Scales initially indicated all placed horses weighed in correctly, but on being shown the video acknowledged that it must have been an oversight on his part. He was summoned to the meeting but did not attend and was reported to be out of the country forcing the matter to be rescheduled. The ARC was directed to address the embarrassing situation immediately.