A special type of grass is being planted and this would take about two months to grow (depending on the weather) to make a proper cushion for the horses, he said.

Work is also being done on the sand track which is used to exercise horses.

Jockeys had been complaining about the bumpy grass (turf) surface, which causes horses and jockeys to fall nearly every race day.

Top Canadian jockey Patrick Husbands, a former Barbados champion rider, who rode in Trinidad for the Christmas meeting, also complained about the condition of the race track.

He said the surface had holes in several areas that pose a danger to horses and jockeys.

Dr. Griffith said some owners are contemplating leaving their horses here to race because there would be no racing in Barbados for three months after August.

Barbadian owners would find it less costly to race in Trinidad because of the currency exchange (three TT dollars for one Barbados dollar).

There are reports that a number of Bajan jockeys would also be heading to ride in Trinidad.

Already there are three Barbadian apprentice riders in C. Husbands, J. Grant and R. Bowen, who are currently in the saddle here.