“We are probably the only country in the world staging racing, where the president and vice-president of the club responsible for framing races and promotion of racing are both trainers and owners of race horses,” he noted.

He believes that signs of nepotism and corruption in local racing show in the handicapping and framing of races.

Samalsingh went on to explain that he had to withdraw one of his horses, Top of the Class, from a recent race because of the weights allotted to the horse.

He alleged that the race was framed to give distinct advantages to certain horses owned and trained by members of the ARC management committee.

The outspoken breeder, in pointing out some of the problems affecting owners, observed that races are normally cancelled when five or less horses are entered; but when a trainer of the ARC management committee has a horse entered in a race with five runners, the race is allowed to come off.

Some owners claim there is a clique controlling racing and would like to see drastic changes if they are to continue investing in horses.

The ROA, in calling for changes, recommended that no licensed trainer should be a member of the management committee or the promoter of horseracing in Trinidad and Tobago; adding that owners will be prepared to withhold entries should licensed trainers continue to serve on the management of the ARC.

A resolution which was passed for these changes to become effective by April 30, will be handed to the ARC.

Owners are arguing that under the present system, racing is no longer competitive which has resulted in loss of revenue for the ARC.

The ROA wants changes in the Claiming System which the association says is running owners out of racing.

One owner, Dr. Edward Commissiong noted that when the Claiming System was introduced more than five years, there were just two “selling” races.

But now, he noted, there are about four Claiming races a week, which owners are not in favour of.

He is arguing that there are not enough horses to frame four Claiming races a week.

“This present Claiming System is turning off owners,” he added.

Another owner Kama Maharaj pointed out that when he came into racing some 25 years ago he collected $9,000 for winning a race.

He pointed out that at present the first prize in certain races are the same.