THE EDITOR, Madam:
NO MATTER how terrible and unprepared a horse reports to the wicket on race day that horse still has its backers, owners, trainers, grooms and, least of all, punters. I say least, because time and time again the punter is treated with such scant disregard that I wonder why we bother to support the product.
The latest salvo concerns champion jockey Shane Ellis and Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson, who has made a most auspicious return to Caymanas Park. Ellis rides King Al in a feature race, and is alleged to have caused interference. The horse is disqualified and the jock suspended for two days. Reasonable, you might say.
'Slicer' rides Time And Again, is guilty of an offence which is investigated and the all clear is posted. Fair, you might say? Yes, up to this point. On another race day he has the leg up on Four By Four, wins again but again he is under investigation. Again, the all clear.
Don't sit still quite yet because what do we have here, days after both incidents. 'Slicer' is given three race days for each offence (total 6). Do these facts inspire, confidence in the system? Oh, I forgot it's Jamaica so "Ah no nutten".
Many punters in Jamaica gamble from overseas via simulcast and the pictures and audio are so clear and precise that if a jock were to chew on gum during a race a viewer might see. We see everything that's happening but most of all there's a lady watching the proceedings but strange enough she is blindfolded. Don't be fooled though when she serves justice it appears that it's done.
I am, etc.,
JUSTICE'S FRIEND
Stony Hill
St. Andrew
