PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - The local horse racing fraternity can look forward with anticipation of racing resuming at the centralised venue, Santa Rosa Park in Arima, in July.
Local racing like other sports worldwide was put on hold due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, yesterday Arima Race Club’s (ARC) president Robert Bernard shed some light on a possible restart.
When contacted, Bernard said, “We are at the mercy of the Government. While we heard the decision of the government on May 9, we of the ARC have sent a letter to the Minister of Health Terrance Deyalsingh seeking to have racing resume on July 19, even if it is behind closed doors.
“The letter is in the hands of the Minister of Health and it is up to him to assist us in any way that may be deemed possible. We will be able to put things in place after that the minister responds. In terms of the horses, we have extended the use of the track to ensure that trainers could get a little more out of their horses. We are waiting with bated breath for the decision.”
In T&T, the ARC decided to close the Santa Rosa facility to the public after the last race day on March 14, following the call by the Government.
However, it has not been business as usual but over this weekend the ARC has extended the number of training days on the main track.
Soon a decision will be made as to when the local Triple Crown races will begin. The ARC could lose 10 race days with the first leg of local racing Triple Crown, The Guineas, on May 30 already being deferred.
