Long road ahead for SVREL, say veteran racing commentators

Top racing commentator Bryan 'Spuddy' Rickman and racing analyst and commentator Howard Abrahams believe that promoters Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) face a difficult task to make the industry viable.

The two long-standing racing commentators, who received special awards from SVREL for their contributions to the industry at the launch of the Lotto Classic at the Spanish Court Hotel on Tuesday, believe that the promoting company inherited too many 'back issues' from the previous promoters and that it will take more than a decade to take the product to the desired standard.

"They (SVREL) have just started. They have a long way to go. This (transformation) thing is going to take 10 to 15 years because they have so much backlog to make up. I would think they are on the right path, but the bottom line is cash. It takes cash to care, and that is the limitation right now with the promoting company," popular racing analyst Abrahams told The Gleaner.

Rickman also expressed similar sentiments on the subject. "Yes, they (SVREL) are on the right track, but they can't do everything overnight. They inherited a lot of problems that will have to straightened out, so it is going to take a while," he said.

"But we all have great hope and expectations, so let's see what they deliver," he added.

ALWAYS APPRECIATED

Both men said that being recognised for one's work is always appreciated and Abrahams believes that he is one of the sport's great servants.

"I appreciate it (award). Recognition is always appreciated. Sometimes people work hard and have nothing to show, so it feels good," Abrahams commented.

"I think I am, humbly, one of the racing public's greatest servants. The services that I have provided, the analysis and the honesty I give to the betting public make them believe in me," he added.

However, Rickman said that he would leave it to racing fans, pundits, and journalists to grade his contribution and legacy to the industry.

"It is always good to be recognised. This is not the first one but I am very happy to receive it. It's nice to know that people think highly of your work. I don't know (how to describe contribution to racing). You guys have to decide that. It is not for me to decide, but I guess I have been here long enough so I can get a long-service award," he mused.

However, neither has the intention of quitting their careers in racing any time soon.

"I don't know. It depends on the eyesight, and stuff like that, but you never know," Rickman stated.

Abrahams also sees no immediate end to his involvement in racing.

"(I'm looking to spend) another forty years. I love racing. Mi a go dead a di track," he insisted.