WHAT seemed to be a valuable aid to local trainers was introduced some 20 months ago - but the spelling paddocks at Beas River are certainly not putting up the ''full house'' notices.
It could be, in fact, that they are becoming something of an embarrassment, although that should not be the case.
Trainers are not sending up horses as Beas River overseer Michael Tibbatts was first hoping. There was never likely to be a flood of them heading on the short journey north but, in recent months, it has been little more than a trickle.
''Yes, we could be busier,'' said Tibbatts diplomatically yesterday but added that overall space was a slight problem.
''We really need much bigger paddocks. I think that would be a major help.'' The issue was raised at the recent meeting between the Trainers' Association and Director of Racing Philip Johnston - but the response from the floor was not encouraging.
Sources reliably tell us that the long-serving, indeed pensionable, Gerry Ng Chi-lam is assuredly not the person most trainers want in charge of the facility. And that point was made.
