Veteran horseman Robert Darby Snr believes that Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) is the right entity to take over the operations at Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), the sole promoter of local horse racing in Jamaica.

Earlier this year, SVL and Caymanas Racing and Entertainment (CRE) were vying for the racetrack. SVL then emerged as the preferred bidder to take over the operations of CTL.

Darby Snr, once the ‘Claiming King’ at the Park, said that Caymanas Park needs a change, and SVL – with their renowned management skills – is what the racetrack needs in order to see better days.

“The divestment must be a positive move, because this racetrack has been in Government hands from as long as one can remember, and there are always problems of one kind or another.

“The late payment of purses and not being able to raise the purses to an acceptable level at which we can keep the races running without the owners having to dig in their pockets deeper and deeper are always problems.

“The business (SVL) that is taking over the operations is a reputable one, and chances are that proper management will eventually come to the Park. Hopefully it is done sooner rather than later. We need a change and I believe that is the right change,” Darby Snr told the Complete Racing Guide.

Darby Snr said that if SVL lives up to its stated intention to pump over $1 billion into the operations of CTL and make available new avenues for earning money, this will help to revive the sport as well as attract new stakeholders to come on board.

“Being a well run company, SVL will definitely help CTL get back on track so as to help the sport move forward.

“When a well run company puts in that sort of money into a business, they are going to give proper management, and chances are things will get better and better.

“I want to see better management of the place, the cleaning up of the stable areas, and generally putting the property together as a clean and beautiful place,” Darby stated.