BY going on a racing holiday, the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners and two other horse owners’ groups have not declared war on the government and its policies but merely wanted their voices to be heard in the sport’s policy-making process.

This was stressed yesterday by Marho vice president Eric Tagle who also called on Philippine Racing Commission Chairman Florencio Fianza to stick to the issues and refrain from using "squid tactics" that only muddles the issues further.

"We want to set the record straight. We are doing this not for ourselves but for all the players in the industry who have been affected by the haphazard implementation of the new handicapping system formulated by the Philracom without consulting horse owners," said Tagle.

Noting the racing holiday declared by the three horse owners groups has been met with approval by even the lowliest players in the billion-peso industry, Tagle added: "Except for a few, all the industry players, even the grooms and trainers, have cooperated with us. All we want is to be heard by the regulator of the sport."

Aside from the Marho, also joining the racing holiday that started last Saturday are the Philippine Thoroughbred Association and Klub Don Juan. Tagle said the races will not resume unless Fianza resigns and the Philracom board is revamped.

(As of press time last night, Malaya learned that Malacanang was going through a short list of individuals who may be tapped to take over from Fianza.)

Tagle also took exception to a report quoting Fianza as saying the protesting groups of horse owners have committed "misdeeds" that have hurt the industry, saying it was uncalled for and below the belt.

"Majority of the horse owners in our group are businessmen of high integrity who are into horse racing because of their love for the sport. This is not our bread and butter. And we have not called him stupid," said Tagle.

Aristeo Puyat, a prominent Marho member, said that instead of attracting more players, the latest Philracom move tends to discourage more horse lovers from joining the industry. Another prominent member, former Philracom chief Augusto Santos, said the industry suffered a decrease in sales last year because of the racing body’s propensity to implement regulations without consulting the players.

Tagle said officials of Marho and the two other groups requested a meeting with Fianza last month to discuss the Philracom’s plan to implement a progressive handicapping system involving two and three-year-old horses. Under the system, the horses will only race against each other.

The horse owners, while preferring an open handicapping system that will enable them to choose races where they can field their two and three-year-old horses, requested the Philracom to defer the implementation of the new system while the pros and cons are being debated, according to Tagle.

"The breaking point came when the Philracom implemented the new system by January 3. All we wanted was a moratorium and for our voices to be heard. Why the rush in implementing this decision?" Tagle said, adding they would gladly bow to the wishes of the Philracom if it is proven the new system would be beneficial to the government.

"The flaw is with the regulator, not with us. In the long run, even the smallest player in the industry will benefit from what we’re doing. It’s the reason why all of them are supporting us," he said.