HORSE SENSE - Howard Hamilton

I have been caught up in the American presidential elections since my extended stay here in the United States from the middle of July. The campaign slogans for Senator Barack Obama have been particularly catchy and thought-provoking. His platform for change and the slogan, 'Yes, we can, Yes, we can' caught the imagination of an unprecedented number of voters, particularly the young voters and those who have previously viewed the political scene with cynicism and apathy. His emphatic victory at the polls is a testament to the global need for change.

Our own electorate made a similar call for a change in the administration of our affairs. The positive changes envisioned by all of us then prompted a feeling of excitement in the racing industry, and you will recall that we wrote then:

"This could indeed be the dawn of a new day for racing. I cannot recall a situation where there were so many influential players from the horse racing industry occupying positions of power in the decision-making corridors of our Government. The [then] Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, is a major participant both as an owner and breeder.

First-hand experience

"The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Karl Samuda, is another participant, both as an owner and breeder. The key participant is the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Don Wehby, who will more than likely have portfolio responsibility for the racing industry.

"He has first-hand experience of the joys and sorrows of being an owner. He has access to a wealth of experience and information from his many colleagues in the industry.

"Others with decision-making influence include ministers of state James Robertson, a polo player, breeder and owner, Daryl Vaz.

"Included also is Member of Parliament St Aubyn Bartlett, who is a notable equine veterinarian, and the former president of the Trainers Association and Deputy Mayor, Lee Clarke.

"They are all anxious to see a restructured racing industry which recognises the tremendous potential which this industry has in the areas of entertainment and tourism, agriculture, career development and employment, revenue generation and become a major player in the economic and social activity of this country.

"If that influential team cannot bring about the essential restruc-turing of the industry, then we might as well pack up and leave the industry to continue as a spectacle for paraplegics."

It is now more than one year since that was written and nothing has happened since then. Those of us in the racing industry cannot conceive that, after more than a year, we are still wallowing in the quagmire of frustration. There is nothing that encourages us to believe that there is any restructuring on the horizon.

Fed up

The yearling sale this weekend will be a testament to the fact that we are all fed up. I predict that there will be no new owners, nor will there be the return of those who have left the industry in disgust. The applications for assistance through the revolving loan fund do not include one new entrant to the industry, although preference was given to those seeking to become owners for the first time. It will be interesting to see what purchases are made by the current directors in whom we placed so much trust when they were first appointed.

The breeders are hopeful that the marketing programme which has been ongoing in Trinidad will have positive results. Buyers from Trinidad and Barbados are our only hope in the current circumstances.

The will to change is all we need. Yes, we can! Yes, we can!