Harry Jackson needs a relook, says trainers

TRAINERS Richard Azan and Spencer Chung have agreed that the Boxing Day Harry Jackson Memorial should be rescheduled, especially if the Diamond Mile becomes a fixture on the local racing calendar, three weeks after the 10-furlong Superstakes.

The scheduling and distance of the 12-furlong race, the year's last grade one event, have raised concerns among trainers at Caymanas Park, who said the time has come for changes to be made to the traditional event.

Along with the Derby, the Harry Jackson is the longest event at Caymanas Park since the St Leger was reduced from 14 to 10 furlongs.

Whereas Chung has confirmed Diamond Mile runner-up TYPEWRITER for the marathon Harry Jackson, he said the race "is not an ideal programme for horses".

"It's not the ideal programme, that's why some people opt not to run it," Chung said of the event, which had six runners last year.

"It's 12 furlongs when the horses are coming off condition. To be going the longest race at that time is not a good idea. With purses the way there are, the race is not much of a big deal, unless it's part of a series," Chung added, suggesting Caymanas Track Limited could consider reducing the distance of the event.

"Our horses peak around Superstakes time, that's why the Caribbean Classic, for example, two weeks later, is not really a part of our programme. Probably if the race were 10 furlongs, or nine and 25, coming out of the Diamond Mile, nine and 25 would have been a good race, a better programme for the horses," he said.

Azan, however, believes the distance should not be touched but the schedule changed and the race revamped.

"Sometimes people need to respect tradition. They made the Harry Jackson a mile and a half. Other countries have traditionally races a hundred-and-odd years old. Maybe they should look at running it another time of the year.

"After the derby, it's the only mile and a half race. They should probably look at it and fit it elsewhere on the calendar, look at getting some sponsorship to renew its synergy. The Diamond Mile illustrated that purse money is one of the major factors in attracting competitive racing," he said of last week's 14-race meet which had a turnover of $66.3m.

Azan, whose FRANFIELD won the Superstakes and placed fifth in the Diamond Mile, said the colt will not face the starter at a mile and a half in the Harry Jackson.

"He is not heading to the Harry Jackson. I am giving him some rest. He had two hard races," he said.