Hove find themselves with a similar runner shortage as Wimbledon, but expect to see the situation ease in the coming weeks writes Floyd Amphlett.
Assistant racing manager Jeff Piper said: “We are probably about 50 runners short but would be okay if all the runners in the trainers’ kennels were available.
“Unfortunately, there are always a few more injuries in the winter and quite a few bitches in season. That situation is already easing.
“We are not currently looking for another trainer and are trying to cover any potential shortage with opens. But there is such a huge demand for them now, we can’t always fill as many as we would like.
“The other issue is seeding. Any 515 metre wide runner could probably be graded twice a week.
“We aren’t the only track with a shortage of wides. There is probably a bias of at least 70:30 and we are not quite sure why.
“The only theory that I can imagine is that it is something to do with the American and Australian breeding.
“All their races are to the inside hare and the dogs will always rail. Maybe some kind of bias has come through the breeding”
At the other extreme, Hove punters will be able to witness runners with a much vaguer sense of racing lines – the Afghans.
A race has been scheduled for the anticipated bumper BAGS meeting on Easter Sunday, April 5.
Piper said: “Its anybody’s guess where they might run. You tend to get one who knows what he is doing with the rest content to or jump into the middle of the track and play around.”
