BLB call on SCOTT to help ARC

Making the call was Roop Chan Chadeesingh, chairman of the BLB, as he formally launched Betting Levy Board Day to be run off at the Santa Rosa venue on Saturday.

He pointed out that the ARC and racing contribute much to the economy of Trinidad and Tobago.

Chadeesingh noted that if the racing plant is left to deteriorate and fall apart, then many people will be thrown out of work, so "I do hope either the Ministry of Sport or SCOTT would come forward and assist."

He said his board has approached Government to get write-offs for sponsors, to stage racing on Sundays and a reduction in taxes. The BLB boss expressed disappointment with the entries for the four principal races on Saturday, with only six in the feature, the 12th edition of the Diamond Stakes Handicap over 1350 metres, and another six runners in the co-feature Derek Cozier Memorial Turf Classic over 1800 metres on the turf course.

And only nine two-year-olds are expected to face the starter in the Betting Levy Board Juvenile Sprint over 1300 metres, while seven were subscribed in the Betting Levy Board Sprint Classic over 1300 metres. Chadeesingh said he hoped for at least ten runners in each of the races, but this is due to injuries to some horses. But despite this, he said the BLB would like to increase the classics with a fifth race for four-year-olds and over.

And he promised to assist the ARC in getting the software necessary for proper simulcast races, and said the BLB have already started to source equipment for this. Apart from these shortcomings, Chadeesingh said it has been a good year for his board, the tax collecting agency for Government, since they had an increase of over 15 per cent or $1.6 million received from betting shops.

He described the relationship between the BLB and bookmakers as "good’, pointing out they are the main source of income.

Chadeesingh said he will be doing all in his power to have a bigger, better BLB race day next year.

ARC vice-president John O’Brien gave kudos to the BLB for organising what he described as "a near Breeders’ Cup programme."

But he too expressed disappintment with the poor fields which he said were a reflection on the breeding industry.

He noted, however, though the fields are small they are very competitive and should provide exciting racing.