Philracom enforces guidelines on racetrack tote, maintenance

The Philippine Racing Commission is closely monitoring the country’s three horseracing tracks for their compliance with established protocols in a strict enforcement of rules and policies on facility maintenance.

The Commission, led by chairman Andrew Sanchez, asked Manila Jockey Club, Philippine Racing Club, and Metro Manila Turf Club to submit their manuals of racetrack and totalizator maintenance.

A horseracing pari-mutuel totalizator system computes and shows the total number and amounts of bets and corresponding payouts. Racetrack maintenance methods include watering, harrowing, ripping and grading, and using an iron float to seal the track surface to minimize the seepage of water especially during the rainy season.

In two separate letters to the clubs, Philracom said the manuals will be used as references “for the technical evaluation of [their] system maintenance procedures” and, with regard to track composition and specifications, to “possibly come up with accepted industry standards.”

“We need to be vigilant and firm in monitoring proper maintenance,” said Sanchez, “to address the issues of excessive delays in the start of races and low betting turnover caused by technical and track-related problems.”

Philracom’s PR (Philippine racing rule) 3 requires racing clubs to provide “(a) [an] adequate and well-maintained racetrack and grandstand…”, (e) a totalizator system with linked computers and adequate betting terminals…” and other facilities including a starting gate, photo-finish devices, and other equipment necessary for the proper and safe conduct of races.