Bigger stakes money coming in June

LOCAL turfites can look forward to an increase in racedays later this year. Also, Betting Levy Board chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh signalled to owners, an increase in stakes money is coming by June.

Arima Race Club president John O’Brien in addressing racing correspondents of daily and weekly newspapers at the annual media luncheon at the Kam Wah Restaurant, Port of Spain, yesterday, announced the plans for increasing race days. O’Brien, said the ARC have great hopes for the 2003 racing season. “We can envisage an increase in racedays per month at the latter part of the year when the 2003 two-year-old crop begins racing.” he said. O’Brien also touched on the amount of imported animals brought in last year and said from all reports there is considerable interest by owners in purchasing two-year-olds at the Ocala Sales in April. “This sign augurs well for the future,” he said.

O’Brien stated that he is quite aware that stakes are the engine that drives the industry, and once it is adequate and paid on time, local horseracing will improve further thereby generating more competitive racing and more betting, ensuring more revenue to the ARC and BLB. In this regards, O’Brien, said, “Together with the Betting Levy Board, we are actively pursuing and increase in stakes, which hopefully will come in June.” O’Brien is also looking at ways of making his punters happy with their returns on bets played with the ARC, and is hopeful that Government will address its call for reduced betting taxes on pari-mutual wagering. O’Brien also announced the continued sponsorship of the Triple Crown races by the CLICO Group Of Companies, which have also agreed to keep in place the incentives of $250,000 for winning the tripart West Indian Bred three-year-olds series and a further $750,000 for adding the Caribbean Champion Stakes to those prestigiuos races at the back end of the season.

Touching on the role of the media, O’Brien said he recognised and appreciates the exposure given to the sport and hopes it will continue. He apologised for the late start in hosting of the awards of the Tipsters competition which ended in December, but said it was due to the Jetsam Awards Function and the relaying of the sand track,  new projects the ARC had undertaken early in the year which stretched their resources to the limit. Roop Chan Chadeesingh, Chairman of the Betting Levy Board, in his short address asked that the media forget the negatives and forge a positive role to carry racing forward. He stated that the BLB went out on a limb last year to help with the importation of horses and the local breeding industry said they will continue to play the lead role in all aspects of the industry. “We have set up a committee and presently in negotiations with GTEC and other companies to set up entertainment centres.

Before year end,  two will be erected in San Fernando and Port of Spain, and promised when money is generated, additional centres will be added at Arima, Chaguanas and Tobago. Chadeesingh said there  is a likelihood of co-mingled betting on both American and English racing, stating negotiations are currently underway. “It is one of our major plans which will bring in millions in revenue,” he enlightened. Chadeesingh also said $800,000 more was collected in taxes fron private betting shops last year. He noted the racing industry went through lean times but said it now has  young brilliant minds which he hopes will be taking the sport back to the top. He disclosed the BLB will be the new sponsors of the tipsters competition and promised an increase in prize incentives in each catagory.