Howard Hamilton

We should all be grateful that we have been saved from what was described as the most dangerous hurricane of this century.

To have been in the path of a category 5 monster of a hurricane is beyond comprehension in terms of the disaster and destruction which would have been the result.

The temporary discomfort which resulted is enough to raise songs of thanks for having spared us from, what appeared to be, our inevitable destiny. The level of preparedness was exemplary and all commendations to those responsible.

We now move on to bring things back to normality and brace ourselves to face the season that is ahead of us.

The racing industry was not spared some amountof dislocation. The stable area, I understand, is in a shambles with most of the roofs 'gone with the wind' What is of interest is that the new stables recently constructed are 'blown away.' The 'expensive stables' built by the previous administration seemed to have weathered the storm. A lesson to be learnt - the cheapest is not always the best.

This brings into focus even more the urgent need for our industry to remove itself from the beaurocracy and strictures of government and revert to an industry owned and managed by the important participants, those participants who are willing to put up the hard cash to revive this industry.

We are all sick and tired of hearing about the failure of private ownership and the failure of a participative structure.

No promoting company has been able to operate successfully because of one common constant faced by all of them - an oppressive taxation policy. While the mindset of the beaurocrats remain convinced that racing is a gambling activity and as such should be taxed accordingly then we will forever be caught in the quagmire of mediocrity and frustration. There comes a time when the survival of those whose livelihood is dependent on this industry: the farmers in the breeding sector, the veterinarians seeking a career in the equine sector, the young boys and girls who have an opportunity for development as jockeys, grooms, exercise riders, the professional opportunities to be trainers, and the host of other jobs which the industry offers, these must become paramount in the decisions taken for the way forward. In the absence of the favourable consideration of the importance of this sector then we, the participants, have to seriously consider what action should be taken to ensure our future. One thing is certain, we cannot continue as things are now.

While we ponder the way forward some of us have the opportunity of seeing how others have made a success of the industry. Racing promoted at the Saratoga Race Course operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA ) still represents the epitome of racing in its promotion and management.

This race course is the oldest existing race track in North America. Its first meeting was held on August 3. 1863. The village of Saratoga Springs had long before been a destination for well-heeled tourists who came to 'take waters' from any of the villages over 100 mineral springs it endured tough times in its history Saratoga Race Course has always stood for the best racing of any meet in the country. The high point of the meet is the running of the Grade 1 US$ 1 million.

Travers, the oldest race for three- year olds. The Travers pre-dates the three triple crown races - the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, the Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore, and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont in New York This race is run at the same distance of the Kentucky Derby - a mile and a quarter (10,000 meters) while the Triple Crown races are run in spring, horses grow, develop and mature by late August. Many horses that may not have been ready to undergo the rigours of a Triple Crown campaign now have the chance to challenge those in their own division. This years Travers will be without many of the top three-year-olds. STREET SENSE will be the only one present and will lack the competetive excitement because of the absence of the other top three year olds such as CURLIN, RAG-TO-RICHES, ANY GIVEN SATURDAY, HARD SPUN and others. Not withstanding this, this weekend promises to be as action packed as ever.