KINGSTON, Jamaica - The first of the scheduled ten races today (April 27, 2024) at Caymanas Park has been abandoned by the stewards of the race meet due to late start.
That event, a $180,000 - $150,000 claimer had ten horses entered. The listed post-time was noon.
This is the first occasion since the start-on-time rule was introduced on April 1, 2024, that a race has been officially abandoned.
As a reminder, Quickgallopja.com re-publishes a previous article explaining the start-on-time rule.
The regulatory agency for horse racing, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) has officially gazetted new changes to the Rules of Racing, with effect as at April 1, 2024.
One of the amendments is Rule 44, which concerns the starting time of races.
The amended as gazetted is as follows:
Rule 44 of the Racing Rules 1977 as amended is further amended by adding after Rule 44(iii) a new subsection/Rule 44(iii)A which reads as follows: —
Save and except as permitted by the Stewards in their discretion, under no circumstances shall a race start more than five (5) minutes after the published post time. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the automatic abandonment of the delayed race/s.
This amendment to Rule 44, means that once a post-time for a race is made official, for example, 12:40 pm, that race can be abandoned by the race day stewards if the starter does not press the start button within five minutes after the published post-time.
There is, however, a caveat, as the race day stewards can due to circumstances, they deem fit can allow a race to start more than five minutes after the listed post-time.
Quickgallopja.com invites readers to share their views by commenting on this rule amendment by the JRC.
3 Responses
They should not be allowed to exercise these rules without a penalty. Eg. giving punters a dividend on their wagers.
The Jamaica Racing Commission erudite (know it all) always express or demonstrate a sense of ignorance, abrasiveness and high- handed attitude in decision making. Their position or opinion of judgment reached after consideration of most issue with Jockeys, Trainers Owners Grooms and now the the promoter Supreme Ventures always questionable.
Where in the world in horse racing industry you have abondond racees due to late post time If you implement late start rule you must have exception because you will sometime encounter unforscene circumstance. Where are the Stewards discretion. Mr JRC Chairman you blunder again with you irresponsible behaviour every one in the industry local and overseas lost income today you are not fit for the job the pace of evolution in a modern racing industry leave you logging behind the leaders time to exit expired long time now.
Thanks for commenting.