METRO Manila Turf Club, Inc., owner and operator of Metroturf Racecourse, was able to successfully deploy enough betting terminals last Monday to meet Philippine Racing Commission conditions regarding their operations this weekend.
In a resolution dated 12 Jan., Philracom cleared MMTCI to hold races on Jan. 16 and 17, after allowing them to hold makeup races on Jan. 11 on condition of compliance with betting network requirements.
This situation stemmed from incidents on Jan. 5, when sales fell well below average because of the reduced number of betting machines available for MMTCI’s use, and Jan. 6, when races were cancelled for the same reason.
In order to make up losses, MMTCI requested the Commission, on Jan. 6 via its racing manager Wilbert Adriano, for permission to hold races on Jan. 11.
Philracom allowed them to “resume racing operations on Jan. 11 on the condition that [MMTCI] would have installed on the said date at least 300 working and operational betting terminals.”
Otherwise, the Philracom warned, MMTC’s operations “including the races on Jan. 16 and 17, 2016, shall be suspended indefinitely until MMTCI can comply with this requirement.”
According to a Philracom official, betting system provider Global Versatech, Inc. had advised Metroturf at least two months before of the cessation of their operations at the beginning of 2016.
GVI had also been the service provider of Philippine Racing Club, Inc., owner and operator of Santa Ana Park, which opted to establish their own system beginning this year.
The insider said that Metroturf had assumed that they would be carried on PRCI’s network during the time they were establishing their own; however, the arrangement for such was with GVI, not with PRCI.
According to Adriano, Metroturf was able to install 310 terminals by Jan. 11, although insiders say not all were operational. Sales for the night, however, were healthy; the Winner-Take-All, one of the indicators of sales conditions, hit around P3 million.
The night’s gross was over P14 million, a little below the average of around P17 million, but enough to show MMTCI’s compliance with the Philracom requirement on its pari-mutuel system.
The clearance for Metroturf to operate comes just in time, given that the first stakes races of the year, one each backed by Philracom and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, are scheduled there this weekend.
On Saturday, the PCSO Special Maiden race will feature six entries. The trial race held Jan. 6 was won by Kid Benjie under DH Borbe, finishing three lengths ahead of second placer Lucky Ray, with Mark Alvarez aboard.
Other finishers were, in order: Enduring, Lady Pio, Ungkaw, and Tiger Helen last. The total time for the 1,400-meter trial was 1:26.4 (13.4-22.6-23.8-26.6).
The race, a 3YO Open, is expected to be among the preparatory events for the runners who might vie for the elite 3YO championships this summer, notably the Philracom Triple Crown.
On Sunday, the Philracom Commissioner’s Cup for 4YO and older local-bred horses will be held over 1,800 meters and boasts a total purse of P1.2 million.
* * * * *
Congratulations to the newly-elected directors of the New Philippine Jockeys Association: president RR de Leon, vice-president GL Francisco, secretary RR Camañero, treasurer AB Alcasid Jr., auditor KeM Malapira, and directors VR Dilema, DG Vacal, SG Vacal, KB Abobo, IL Aguila, and Dan Camañero.
***
Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember