The four tracks racing under the Ladbrokes Coral banner – Crayford, Hove, Monmore, and Romford – are to introduce regular kennel championships throughout 2020.
The 18 runner events will be staged over three different distances and will feature the top graded runners at each venue over each distance. To qualify, each runner must have contested three graded races at the track. Where possible every kennel will be represented in each competition with a limit of three runners per kennel per competition.
Heats and finals will be run on consecutive Saturdays. Heat winners will each receive top grade prize money with the final winners collecting £750. Each track will run a minimum of four sets of competitions during the year, though Monmore have already announced six.
At the end of the year, the highest points scorers in each category will receive a bonus of £500, plus trophy and will be crowned Track Champion. The kennel accumulating most points will receive £1,000.
The idea of regular track championships is an idea that I have been trying to promote for the best part of 20 years. Various racing and general managers have agreed to do it, but not one has seen it through.
It was during a recent chat with Ladbrokes Coral Head of Stadia Ian Smyth, that I raised the subject again. He agreed to consider it, and following discussions with new Hove racing manager Daniel Rankin, the above formula was announced.
The idea is not new – the best ideas seldom are. Many readers will recall that before the proliferation of open races, it was not uncommon to find multiple classic winners littering the A1 events at White City, Wembley and Walthamstow.
In my view these new events tick so many boxes.
– At a time when trainers are often forced to enter their better dogs elsewhere, because the racing manager can’t find five runners of similar calibre, it will cut out a lot of time consuming and expensive traveling for minor open events. I wouldn’t expect major competitions to be affected.
– Every runner, with form, will be known to the regulars and the bookies, with a potential for competitive betting events.
– Those of us of a particular vintage will recall how much pride and kudos these events used to bring. The title of being the local top dog will bring rivalries to the fore between kennels and even within kennels themselves.
Personally, I would like to have seen more resources thrown at the events. If Monmore can pay £500 for a one-off ‘festival maiden’, why not £1,500 or more, for the final of a track championship? I would like to see a track champions noticeboard, photos on the track monitors, souped up racecards with photos and every reigning champ paraded in a distinctive parade coat – a bit like the yellow jersey in cycling.
But these are early days, and if they strike a chord with owners and trainers, you can be sure that Smyth and his team will invest further. Maybe then, others will follow.
The website will certainly play its part in making sure that these local stars are given significant exposure.
Ed
