I write as an impecunious owner driven to the demon drink by the wrangling of the Turf Club. I’m sure many of my comments may not be entirely correct but put pen to paper in an endeavour to communicate and keep racing alive.
So writes owner Tommy Millar on the Mashonaland Owners & Trainers Association Facebook page.
Why was due diligence not done on Saturday afternoon 18th April to ascertain the track was in racing order – or which idiot decided it was!!
As the aforesaid pauper, I’ve now to pay airfares for jockeys not used, with no stake money involved!!
Sadly it gets worse. The meeting of 3rd May gets one extra race plus the Derby, carried forward from the cancelled meeting, and no real warm up race for possible “Tankard” horses – yikes!
Wait there’s more…..we’re all on reduced stakes – Yeeee gods!! (Since writing this I understand that stakes for the meeting of 3rd May have been changed to those of a normal race meeting.)
Oh, also constant suggestions to change the “Derby” distance (will you be serious) and to cap it all lets introduce nomination and entry fees, Bloody Hell!! The reason for the attempted humour is that it’s exactly what the Turf Club has become…a joke.
None of us (owners) want to get rich quick but I’m thinking the Stewards possibly en masse might need to alter their medication and go out to:
1.Talk and listen to Trainers
2.Mr Spies is considering closing his operations due to the cost involved. Wake up we’ll all be affected!
3.You cannot keep bleeding the owners.
4.Cut your cloth to your circumstances i.e reduce your staff, managers and perks to suit the business….radical but necessary.
5.Communicate, take advice, get practical.
Read more of the background to Mr Millar’s letter here.
