UNFOUNDED AND MALICIOUS criticism!
A prominent director of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC) has dismissed criticism of his fellow directors over the past week in what must be the most turbulent and controversial period surrounding the Eastern Caribbean’s richest horse race, the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.
Lord Michael Taylor told NATIONSPORT yesterday that he wanted to set the record straight.
“I can tell you as a director, that I have utmost respect for the directors of the Turf Club. They worked untiringly and unceasingly for the good of racing. Criticisms that are being made of the administration and of the directors are totally unfounded,” he contended.
Prior to the 30th running of the Sandy Lane Gold Cup last Saturday at the Garrison Savannah, there was controversy when BTC president Sir David Seale, fellow horse owner, Eugene Melnyk of Canada, along with trainer Stephen Bynoe, objected to the entry of horses from St Kitts on the day’s programme.
Not upheld
“There are various comments being made and it is not only disrespectful to those who worked tirelessly for the good of the club, but they are somewhat malicious,” Lord Michael Taylor added.
The objection, which was lodged to the BTC’s stewards body, on the grounds that St Kitts is not a recognized racing jurisdiction, was not upheld by the four race day stewards.
As a result, the Arthur Sharpe-owned Bad Action was allowed to compete in the Gold Cup, which ended in controversy last Saturday when Show Me The Money, which passed the finish line first, was disqualified and the second-placed horse, Zoom, declared the winner. Bad Action came seventh.
Ironically, Taylor, the owner of Show Me The Money, has indicated he would be appealing the decision to place his horse at the back of the field, and wants the stewards to relook video footage of the entire race.
Show Me The Money’s disqualification was the first in the 30-year history of the Gold Cup, and was the talk of the sporting town all through the weekend.
Prior to the stewards’ decision to allow the Kittitian horses to compete, the BTC had agreed that they were eligible to race.
Al Portador, another Kittitian horse, competed in the VII Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes and Trophy and finished last in the 12-horse field.
