I am never one to heap swift praises on any government board, especially right after elections are held, as this is usually when there is a clearing out of the old guard and the introduction of a new set who arrive festooned with all the answers as if they have all the medicine in their briefcases to speedily treat all the relevant maladies of the institutions they now lead as policy makers.

I must, however, break this long-existing personal trend to express in the public domain my utmost approval of the decision of the commissioners of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), headed by chairman Anthony Shoucair and deputy chairman Clovis Metcalfe, to hear, on Thursday of next week, the appeal filed by the connections of Future King against the disqualification of their horse in last Saturday’s Cal’s Manufacturing Limited-sponsored Jamaica Derby.

Let us rewind. On Saturday, June 25, 2016, the 96th running of the Jamaica took place at Caymanas Park. It was a tightly contested race with Future King prevailing over Bigdaddykool and Orpheus. The raceday stewards then took the decision to disqualify the winner, Future King, placing the colt third, with Bigdaddykool remaining in second position with the race awarded to Orpheus.

As is permitted under the long established laws and rules of racing, an aggrieved party has the right to appeal the ruling of the raceday stewards within a certain time and with payment of the requisite appeal fee. These criteria were met by the connections of Future King in this instance. The commissioners of the JRC would then hear the appeal and a decision taken. This will be done next week Thursday.

Since Saturday the issue of the disqualification of Future King has been hotly debated by those in and out of racing, with views differing on either side of the fence. There was urgent need for hasty action on the part of the JRC, especially given the fact that it is the first time in our history that a Derby winner has been disqualified, and once an appeal was officially lodged.

The JRC commissioners have responded in a timely manner, much to the delight of this writer, as the matter needs to be resolved with haste.

It is my hope that in the future, the commissioners of the JRC will move with the same speed in dealing with other appeals which linger and linger for months without a hearing.

My congratulations are offered, Messrs Racing Commissioners, without any hesitation.

More anon!