Patrick Smellie, president of the United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica (UTRAJ), has expressed displeasure with his colleagues who nominated horses for live racing this weekend after the association chose not to nominate in response to the promoting company’s offer of a $27-million purse increase.

Following a meeting with members of his association on Monday (July 17), Smellie stated that they were going to withhold nominations again if Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) did not increase their purse offer. Further Smellie said that he was not aware of any new development regarding their demand for a larger purse increase.

“Nothing has changed between us and SVREL, and I am very disappointed that some trainers decided to nominate their horses,” the trainers’ president said.

“We are fighting for something for the benefit of all grooms, trainers, owners, and horsemen at Caymanas Park. Never in the history of Caymanas Park [have] we had so many people together.

“To say that I am disappointed is an understatement, but the good thing is that we made a statement and we made a stand, and we have observed the myopic thinking of the promoters and some of these trainers,” Smellie added.

“So we are here, we are going to gather again and have a meeting to see where we move from here because if they (some trainers) want to race for a 3.5 per cent increase, then they can do so.

“I am thanking all the trainers and owners that stood up and fought for the cause because those other four races could have been filled if these guys didn’t stand up and fight for what they believe in.

“If you notice, most of those races have three and four by one person. They are trying to prove a point. They are going to lose money,” Smellie ended.