Dead heat drama

The Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) has summoned Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) to a high-level meeting today, to discuss the matter of the dead heat result of the ninth race on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Caymanas Park.

The race, which was the inaugural running of the Kingston Cup for three-year-old colts and geldings, was declared a dead heat by the placing judges between the race favourite FURTHER AND BEYOND ridden by Dane Nelson and outsider MINIATURE MAN with Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas aboard.

However, since the race, there have been several disputes over results and according to Chairman of the JRC, Clovis Metcalfe, this has prompted his organisation to get to the root of the matter.

“It is out in the public domain that there are a lot of concerns and questions about this photo finish result with FURTHER AND BEYOND and MINIATURE MAN and there are concerns as to whether or not the results are correct,” said Metcalfe.

“This is for transparency for the racing public because there are questions being asked on social media and in the public domain and pictures being shown that the results are incorrect and so as a regulatory body, it is our responsibility to ensure the integrity of the sport and transparency,” added Metcalfe. “We summoned the promoters under the racing rules to give an explanation and for us to examine whether or not the results are correct.”

POWER TO ENQUIRE AND DEAL WITH ANY MATTER

Metcalfe underscored that the JRC has the right to investigate the matter based on racing rule 15, subsection 6, which states that: “The commission shall have power at its discretion to enquire into and deal with any matter whatever, which in its opinion related to or in anyway affects racing, whether such matter arises in Jamaica or elsewhere and to pass such decision there on, as it may consider expedient under these rules.”

Metcalfe noted that because of the Government’s COVID-19 restrictions on gathering, today’s meeting will be held in-person as well as virtually.

“We will have the photocopy judges there and we will ask questions and satisfy ourselves that the results are correct. The promoters will give an explanation and it will be for us to examine whether or not the results are correct,” he stated.

Meanwhile, General Manager of SVREL Lorna Gooden said they will be commenting on the matter at a later date.

“Yes, we have been summoned but we are unable to comment, as the matter is before the regulators,” Gooden said.

robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com