Orville Clarke, Freelance Reporter

Pat Rousseau (centre), chairman of Caymanas Track Limited, holds the Hilma Veira Jamaica Oaks Trophy with Jamaica Racing Comnission (JRC) general manager, Ruth-Ann Smith-Sutherland, while Wisynco's public relations and special events manager, Kimberly Lawson (left), looks on at Thursday's launch of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Pat Rousseau, chairman of the Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), has emphasised that the motivation of his board is profits.

Speaking at the Knustford Court Hotel, New Kingston, at last Thursday's launch of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks, which is being sponsored by Wisynco for the first time, Rousseau said this focus "will allow us to deal with purse increases and making the place more attractive."

The 69th running of the Oaks, which offers a total purse of $2.7 million, will be contested by native bred three-year-old fillies over 2,000 metres on Saturday, April 26 at Caymanas Park.

In keeping with the 'ladies day' theme for Oaks Day, CTL will once again be honouring select women in a specific professional field, this time ambassadors.

Continuing, Rousseau, a former president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), said in the next four to six weeks, CTL will take bids for live racing and this will soon become a reality.

"There is a desperate need for live television coverage of racing. The more coverage we get on television, people like Bigga will be encouraged."

Unnecessary delays

Rousseau went on to point out that the previous board had ordered an elevator along with new seats for the stands. He promised that by the end of August to early September, both will be in place "providing we don't get any unnecessary delays with government tenders."

Noting that the recent move by CTL to facilitate exacta only rather than quinela betting in races with eight horses and less has resulted in increased sales, Rousseau disclosed. He said that plans are afoot to upgrade the Jockeys' Room at Caymanas Park.

Wisynco, meanwhile, has contributed $1 million to purses on the day - $700,000 going directly to the purse of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks for the Hilma Veira Trophy, in honour of the former general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), and $300,000 to six other races on the card.

Expanding on the details, CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr said it is a day no racing fan will want to miss. He said the rivalry between the island's top two fillies, the April 5 Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas winner ALSAFRA and IT IS I, who finished a close second, will continue, but noted that the race is not necessarily confined to the top two as others such as the Guineas third HEART OF GOLD, PRIDE 'N' GLORY, LOVINGGOOD and beaten Guineas favourite, AHWHOFAH, should make it an interesting event.

The card will also facilitate two interesting supporting features, the annual renewal of the Lady Geeta Trophy (graded stakes) over 1200 metres with a purse of $900,000 and the Ricochet Cup over 1000 metres round for native-bred maiden and untried three-year-old fillies.

Sponsorship

Also speaking was Wisynco Group's general manager, Karen Rosen.

She said: "We are intrigued by the concept of the sponsorship because we have a history of engagement with the sporting and entertainment fraternity through our brands Wata, Bigga soft drinks, Coca Cola, Ocean Spray and Ciclon.

"Also, being fillies day at Caymanas Park, we found it a fitting occasion to honour women who have distinguished themselves as con-tributors to society's development.

"Bigga and Caymanas Track Limited on recognising such excellence have entered into a powerful partnership and will be honouring six women on Bigga Jamaica Oaks Day. They include Ambassadors Madge Barrett, Evad Necoye, Cordel Wilson Evans, Patricia Durrant and Vivia Betton."

Fans at Caymanas Park on Oaks Day will not be left out of the activities. There will be prizes and surprises featuring Bigga products for lucky patrons along with a concert dubbed She's Royal, Bigga gimmick race, not to mention an after-race party in the Kiddies Stables, this organised by the Jockeys' Guild and Grooms' Association.