WITH the new North-South Highway being completed, Dale Murphy, president of the United Racehorse Trainer’s Association (URTA), is already anticipating a bigger and better Diamond Mile race to be run on December 10, 2016 at Caymanas Park.

“What I like most about the Diamond Mile race is the promotion. There is a sense of excitement and attraction. I understand that the Jamaica Tourist Board is now a part of the event as a sponsor, and with the highway now open, the possibility of increasing the appeal of horse racing to visitors who are mainly on the north coast is going to increase,” Murphy told the Complete Racing Guide.

“The Diamond Mile, in terms of promotion, in terms of attracting tourists, is a naturally exciting event and hopefully it can help Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) to get more people from that side of the country to come and enjoy themselves at the races,” the URTA president added.

As to the changes in the conditions for the second staging of the event, Murphy is in full agreement with the organisers for making improvements to the race, but he said some more tweaking has to be done to give everybody a better chance of winning.

“The changes made to the conditions are very good. I think it is an excellent move by the organisers. The lifetime earnings situation was good for last year, as the Diamond Mile was announced in the middle of the year and so the organisers really had nothing to base it on. This year is different and I believe the changes are really excellent,” he explained.

Murphy further stated: “With the Diamond Mile being launched in January, the year-to-date earnings from January to December can work as we all know about that condition from early, and also the win, and you are in situation that is also good, where you have the Derby, Superstakes, Invitational Mile and Caribbean Sprint winners getting automatic entry into the race.

“In some cases, we have to look at where a horse may win the Derby and then go on to win the Superstakes as well. Here I would suggest that they (organisers) look into that and probably give the runner-up in the Superstakes a spot in the Diamond Mile. The reverse might also happen.”

When asked if he has any horses pointing towards the Diamond Mile, Murphy said “I wish” before breaking into laughter.

“The Diamond Race was very well organised last year. It was the best thing I have seen at Caymanas Park since I am here. The park was full of fun and excitement, but let us see what will happen this year as there is a change in Government and thing,” he ended.