McCARTHY LASHES PUNCHESTOWN DECISION Peter McCarthy, Chairman of the Irish Racehorse Owners Association, has expressed his dissatisfaction at the Turf Club`s decision to cancel the Punchestown Festival, due to take place on April 24th - April 28th.In a statement issued this afternoon McCarthy said: 'I fully accept that safety comes first but considering several racing professionals gave the track the all clear and were quite satisfied after working 25 horses at racing speed both on the flat and over fences there on Wednesday morning, the decision to cancel is questionable.'Everyone is baffled by the decision. There's #1 million on offer at the Festival and this is extremely important for Owners, Trainers as well as Punchestown racetrack as it is their major money earner for the year.'What the AIRO is proposing is for an independent observer to come to Punchestown and assess the fitness of the track for racing.'In light of what several jockeys and trainers thought on Wednesday when the decision to cancel was made, I don't accept the Turf Club officials have reached a correct decision.'
