Variety Is the Spice of Racing
Most Jamaicans who only know Caymanas Park ask me why I’m so interested in English racing. It wasn’t always that way. During my primary and secondary school years, I was a …
Oh, just because they can! – The idea of “Might is Right”
There was a time when corporal punishment was part and parcel of our Jamaican school system. It was, perhaps, a holdover from the old British colonial era. It was often abused …
Whipping Up Interest In The Derby
Abuse of horseflesh in the name of sport and entertainment continues unabated at Caymanas Park. In Public Opinion’s issue of June 25, 2021 (Whipping up interest in the St. Leger), I …
Iconic Legacies Need Protecting
There’s much discussion at the track these days about purse increases. Maybe a little history would be illuminating for those of us with short memories or lives (so far). In 1989 …
We Have A Breathing Problem
Indigenous Jamaican language is nothing if not brilliantly colourful and descriptive. I’m sure many of us have come across someone temporarily (hopefully) short of breath who gasps “Mi cyan breed.” Well, …
Parallel Times And Speed Figures
Survivors of last issue’s boring mathematics lesson can now calculate your own Standard (Par) Times and daily Track Variants. Congratulations on your Masters Degree in Speed. Now what? It’s time for …
Track Variants De-Mystified
More than two years ago, I gave general advice (Public Opinion’s Birthday; Your Gift – Speed!) about how to assess speed. It’s time for more advanced study. “Oh my ears and …
National Commitment Means Subduing Egos
Women’s football is now in national sporting headlines with the success of our under 17 women’s World Cup squad in the Dominican Republic. They have convincingly beaten their Caribbean/CFU counterparts, showing …
The Davis Principle
One of the most confusing handicapping conundrums for many horse players comes when horses that spend time in restricted allowances venture into claiming company. If, as I’ve done, you’ve taken the …
Eeether Or Eyether
For decades, Jamaican horsemen and purveyors of horseracing opinion have debated whether Jamaica should introduce a tote monopoly. The “debate” has proceeded on the premise that we currently have two players …
A Very Personal Horseracing Journey (Part II)
Monte’s Stitch’s 1972 Gold Cup weight-carrying feat was one of many by local champions those days. No horse’s career was memorable without at least one weight-defying performance that could fuel arguments …