MANILA, Philippines - International racing consultant Ciaran Kennelly is in town to help the Philippine Racing Commission in its efforts to raise its standards befitting a new member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

The Philracom recently achieved a milestone of being formally accepted as a member of the IFHA, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.

Philracom chairman Andrew Sanchez said Kennelly’s presence and inputs will be a big boost to the local horseracing industry.

“He’s here to help us become worthy of our IFHA membership in terms of handicapping rules and procedure, transfer of technology and the like,” said the Philracom board, which briefed Kennelly on the local horseracing scene at its Makati office.

The IFHA executive is here to review the Philracom’s racing program and prepare a draft that will include a rating-based handicapping system, the structures and maintenance and updating of the ratings.

“To achieve these objectives, I would have to review their current structures and racing program and meet the racing administrators and personnel involved in the running of racing at the three races tracks,” said Kennelly.

Kennelly, who arrived Tuesday, visited the Manila Jockey Club in Carmona, Cavite after a briefing with Philracom officials in Alabang.

Later, Kennelly presented to racing managers, club handicappers and racing officials his International Handicapping System, before observing the races at the MJCI dedicated in his honor.

After his briefing at the Philracom office Thursday, he discussed internal policies of the Regulatory Function of Handicapping rules and procedures and horse groupings with Moises Cundangan and Ferdinand Diva.