It’s high time that Phumelela, the Racing Association and the National Horseracing Authority come out of the closet and inform the racing public what the status quo is in the various racing jurisdictions in regard to sectional timing.
After years of rumours and internet gossip that sectional timing is on the table, the word is out that the archaic piece of equipment that resembles a 1970’s laptop and that is required to be carried by our racehorses has been rejected as outdated cumbersome technology by some Cape trainers. Our racing authorities have gone very quiet – after years of empty promises. But what’s new?
The comedy of errors that has become yet another public relations circus for our racing fathers hit new levels at Fairview on Monday.
The official stipes report states:
The sectional timing device became dislodged from the saddle of MIRACLE BUREAU (C Murray) in the running.
The sectional timing device became dislodged from the saddle of JAMAICA’S BOY (K Steyn) passing the 700 metre mark.
The sectional timing devices became dislodged from the saddles of GRAPE VINE (T Gould), AREZZO (J P van der Merwe) and OLYMPIC POWER (X Ndlovu) respectively in the running.
Thereafter in consultation with the Jockeys, the Racing Association and Phumelela representatives, the Stipendiary Board made a decision to terminate the use of the sectional timing devices for the remainder of the meeting.
The digital generation, who are the sport of kings’ future, could well be the beneficiaries of the benefits of sectional timing – but can surely only see this strategic disaster as another reason not to get involved in a game beset by a lack of transparency and poor management.
