Conliffe a non-starter at Santa Rosa

STARTER Lennox Con-liffe will press the button for the off at races at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, for the last time at tomorrow’s programme.

Conliffe resigned his post as starter earlier this month but held his ground until a suitable person could be groomed as a replacement. The ex-jockey, who had adverse comments made against him both in the press and by some owners and trainers, was not saddened by his decision to quit and said he wished racing and all  his critics well. Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira confirmed Conliffe’s resignation was accepted by his management committee at their monthly meeting on Wednesday. Ferreira said he remembers Conliffe as being strong willed, and felt disappointed by his decision. “He was an honest individual who stood up for the things that were right, and for his stance was criticised by some in the industry whom he denied favours.”

Ferreira said Conliffe, who replaced Robert “Sack” Foster as official starter last year, made a number of mistakes during the period he was in charge at the gates, and a lot of complaints were received from both jockeys and trainers. “But during all his troubles we stood by him,” said Ferreira. “Because all of the problems were not entirely his. “Schooling of horses was at a low and that was a problem to be ironed out. “Another starter was brought in to assist and that might have brought about a misconception when the responsibility of starting  races was rotated. “Having resigned he opened himself to criticism for errors in the past,” said Ferreira.

Contacted at the Arima raceourse yesterday morning, shortly after conducting a schooling session, Conliffe said he would not mind being relieved of his duties tomorrow but would continue to perform for one more day in his life if it is afforded. Conliffe said most of the criticism heaped on him were not entirely his, and accepted the blame for only one error, when he started a race with a runner declared as a non-runner. He recalled the incident and said it was a decision  he had to make. “After the declared non-runner was loaded a few of the official runners became fractious in their gates and instead of any injuring themselves I was forced to send the field flying.”