The Emancipation Day horse race meet that had been scheduled for staging on Sunday, July 31, at the Port Mourant Turf Club has been postponed because of inclement weather.
The track at Port Mourant
Resumption of horse racing at the Port Mourant Turf Club would have been a highly anticipated event, since the COVID-19 health regulations had prevented promoters across the country from hosting such activities for more than two and a half years. Sunday’s meet would have been staged ‘under orders’ with spectators present. This race day was billed as preparation for the famed Guyana Cup, which will be held at the Rising Sun Turf Club at Arima Park in West Berbice on August 14.
Spokesman for the Port Mourant Turf Club’s Management Committee, Therbhuwan Jagdeo, has declared, “Our main priority is the safety of the horses and riders. The track was being prepared for this historic restart, but Mother Nature has had her say on matters.
“We have been refurbishing the plant and premises to bring a new outlook to the facility. Lots of work had started, and we were in the home stretch, literally speaking. On Tuesday, after finishing touches were done, we were confident of a restart, and were heading to the finish line. The amount of work that was needed to have this track ready was unimaginable.
“Remember, we did not have racing for two and a half years, but we were working overtime for this restart. The May/June rainfall did not help us, but we took the necessary measures. We closed the track late June/early July, because at that point it got real bad from persistent rainfall. From then to now, the rain did not give us any chance, but we defied the odds. Ninety percent of the rails’ work was completed, the track surface was being prepared, and (was) near completion.”
“On Tuesday we were confident of a restart. However, on Wednesday morning we decided to test the track despite overnight showers. A couple of horses were sent on the track to test the surface. We were happy when they returned, but that joy was short-lived, as a number of them lost their plates (racing shoes), and they were only trotting and cantering. The riders advised they weren’t happy with surface, because of how deep these horses’ hooves were going down. These weren’t breezing (faster pace).
“In the best interest…of all, we have taken a decision to postpone the day’s card,” Jagdeo disclosed.
Regarding the race card, Jagdeo revealed, “Seven races were well supported. We had healthy fields in all the races. Most striking was the juvenile event for Guyana-bred two-year-olds, which attracted 12 runners. In the 1,600-metre feature event, we had seven horses, with Trinidad-bred Early Bird, who won that country’s Stewards and Sian’s Gold Sprint on the turf in 2019 and 2020, heading the field, along with a number of recently imported horses.”(See entries hereunder)
Jagdeo also pointed out that the Port Mourant Turf Club had invited experienced personnel involved in the horse racing industry in Trinidad to fly in to assist them with the entry process and setting up of a database to ensure the rules of racing are adhered to.
He has thanked all involved for their contribution to make the day a success.
Regarding when the postponed card will be staged, Jagdeo advised, “We are looking at late September/early October 2022.”
