Towcester’s racing office have preempted complaints about non-winners being upgraded as they announce a series of changes to grading and fixtures.
The track are to broaden their middle distance grades by introducing A1 and A2 events. At present, the fastest dogs contest A3. This will allow a broadening of the lower grades. There are currently significant differences in ability within a single grade.
Even though the track has a surplus of runners, grading time will will eased by around 30 spots for 31.50 for the standard distance. Trainers are also advised that 712 metre graded racing is to return at the expense of a plethora of graded sprints.
With the track due to lose its Friday morning betting shop fixture to sister track Suffolk Downs, Saturdays evenings are returning from the 29th of this month.
The track are also planning for the anticipated return to racing at Oxford. Trials are expected to be underway by early March. This may present some short term issues as explained in the letter to trainers: “as we are sure you are already aware, the graded strength is high at the moment so your required runner numbers cannot be guaranteed. The situation will change when a large number of trainers/greyhounds switch to Oxford in the near future – your understanding of the situation is appreciated.”
With the future of Henlow still unclear, it seems there will be a potential shortage of betting shop fixtures in the immediate future. However, with the Central Park contract with SIS due to expire at the end of this year, that will free up five weekly fixtures of which the majority seem set to be transferred to Oxford.
