Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRA) Derek Chin is considering appointing a three-man committee to investigate breaches of the rules of racing and make recommendations to the authority as regards to the penalties to be imposed or if there is a need for the cases to be referred to it.
Currently the TTRA, which is an appeals body, hears evidence to decide on penalties to be imposed on owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms for wide-ranging offences.
But this can change, according to Chin, who said the committee, which will fall under the umbrella of the TTRA, would also deal with trivial matters that come before the authority.
He said the committee would carry out a preliminary investigation into illegal use of prohibited medication, fines or suspensions imposed on jockeys by the stewards (who want to appeal the decisions) and trainers to determine whether there is a need for the matters to be heard by the TTRA board.
“This will save the TTRA time in having to deal with minor matters,” he said.
Chin said he wants to the TTRA to function as an appeals body and not, as currently pertains, “judge, jury and executioner”.
He said there are also a number of changes being proposed like getting veterinarians employed by owners to be registered with the TTRA.
The TTRA chairman said this is the only way the authority can deal with bad pay owners and trainers.
“Veterinarians have been complaining about not being paid by certain owners and trainers for services and are unable to collect their monies,” he said.
But the TTRA is unable to deal with these cases because the veterinarians are not registered with the authority.
Chin said fines and suspensions are also under review as well as the zero-tolerance policy on the use of drugs on horses.
The TTRA chairman is proposing that threshold levels on therapeutic medication be done in consultation with the stakeholders in the racing industry and what currently exists in the USA and other racing jurisdictions.
The TTRA wants to move away from suspending trainers’ licenses and instead impose a $500 fine, which can be increased to $5,000, and for a third offence of use of prohibited drugs a ban can be imposed.
