THE general knowledge and competence of the personnel entrusted with regulation and promotion of the local racing industry must be questionable. The level of the knowledge deficit is a threat to the future of the industry.

Recently there was action taken against certain operation stewards following the reversal of a race day decision, and the board of Jamaica Racing Commission must deal with sundry other matters that require its attention as well.

Prior to today’s 10th event, Princess Amahle reared and struck a leg against the wall of the saddling barn. It was clear to those who witnessed this that the filly would be unable to race. At odds of 10-1 the sale continued until it reached 9-2 more than 15 minutes later, resulting in a huge refund of wagers. Where was the appropriate speedy response to avoid this unproductive outcome?

In the ongoing riveting battle for the 2024 jockeys’ championship between Raddesh Roman (119) and Tevin Foster (115), the opening event of 10 on the programme had a surprising outcome.

It was scarcely believable that in form Bad Investment — a four-length winner here owned and trained by Steven Todd for the first of two for his stable — delivered odds of 9-1 for its backers.

Roman, for the first of double success as well, had the four-year-old bay colt in front early, and no threat emerged over the 1400 metres of this event.

Truth be told, the vast majority of Roman’s fan club neglected to back Sensational Satin in the 1000-metre straight race five. The seven-year-old mare, owned and trained by Winchester McIntosh, sprinted four lengths clear at odds of 12/1.

From all of eight mounts on the card, there was no response from Foster.

Todd’s stable double came in race six for maidens four years and older, with 2022 champion Dane Dawkins, for the first of his riding double, guiding Jet Ski Girl (8-5) to victory by three parts of a length.

At the end of race eight Dawkins returned to the winners’ enclosure as Edward Burke saddled Nakamura (5-1) to win the 1400-metre exertion by just over one length.

In race two, ridden by 2019 champion Christopher Mamdeen, Sneaky Joe (3-1) — who failed to make the frame only once in his last eight starts — with just one win was a neck better than 4-5 bet General Chief (Raddesh Roman). For trainer Donovan Hutchinson, who joined the ranks last season, it was his best day as he also secured race 10.

It was the featured 1820-metre United Racehorse Trainers’ Association Troph, and US-bred Sheer Delight (1-1) scored by three parts of length for Mamdeen to confirm his double success as well.

Race three, over 1600 metres and restricted to three-year-old maidens, went to
Sea Plane (4-1) — ridden by Phillip Parchment — to score by four lengths for trainer Gordon Lewis. In race four, a Maiden Special Weight for juveniles and contested for the traditional Abbie Granum Memorial Cup, Mr Lee (5-2), partnered by Matthew Bennett, was over 20 lengths clear of his nearest rival at the end of the 1400-metre gallop.

Following up on a three-timer last race meeting, top 10 conditioner Patrick Lynch saddled 1-2 favourite Manny Slam (Robert Halledeen) to win race seven over 1100 metres.

For race nine, 2011 champion Dick Cardenas produced a vintage display to guide Anthony Nunes’ Undisclosdlocation (10-1) to a near-three-length victory on a path against the far rails, in race nine over 1100 metres.

Speaking of former champions, with the imminent arrival of Dane Nelson and with Trevor Simpson, Shane Ellis, Cardenas, Mamdeen and Dawkins available as well, plus reigning Reyan Lewis in addition to potential titlist Roman or Foster — or possibly both in a repeat of 1971 and 2021 — over the next couple of months owners and trainers will be spoilt for choice.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Donovan Hutchinson for his first double success with Sneaky Joe and Sheer Delight, with the latter delivering the Best Winning Gallop. The Jockeyship Award goes to Christopher Mamdeen.