PHIL SIMMONDS
ROMFORD trainer Phil Simmonds leads the pack to land the Towcester £5,000 ‘visiting trainers’ bonus.
The scheme, designed to attract outside runners to the track’s open races, offers a point for every runner and three points for every winner and will run until the end of June.
So far 18 trainers have qualified for points with Simmonds well clear on 19 points followed by 9-Jeanes Liles, 8-Paul Young, 8-Richard Baker.
Racing manager Chris Page said: “There is still plenty of time to win it, even for trainers who haven’t had a runner here yet.”
Less successful was the idea to stage races restricted to non-Towcester based kennels. So far, only one has filled.
Towcester’s new 500 metre starting traps are due to be delivered shortly and should add variety to the racing according to Chris Page.
He said: “At the moment we are still sorting out the electrics and then have to wait for the GBGB permission but I think 500 metre races will be very popular. With more time for the runners to spread out on the way to the first bend, I can see even more winners coming from the back of the field.
“There is a theory that this is a front runners track but the facts don’t back that up. Just over a week ago we held a meeting where every winner came from behind. Nor do the statistics back up the suggestion that railers have an advantage. Our wide traps get more than their share of wins, particularly in eight-dog races.”
The track’s £10,000 prize money bonus is being shelled out at the rate of £1,000 per month.
Chris Page said: “We are running two £500 competitions each month. We’ve had A6 and A4 events so far but will gradually be working our way up the grading ladder.”
Pup in form is Seamus Gaughan’s Gemma Golden (Droopys Scolari-Final Gold, Jun 14). The blue youngster has won five of her last nine outings with a best winning time of 28.78.
TOWCESTER TRACK CHAMPS
480–DEDI DIDDLE DUM bk d (Ace Hi Rumble-Vigilant Amy, Jul 12) Owner Mr ET Freshwater Trainer Kevin Hutton Won his last three graded, an A2 and two A1s, with a best of 28.14.
655– CABRA MILLER bd d (Kinloch Brae-Cabra Millie, Jun 13) Owner Mr GM Wills Trainer Heather Dimmock. Six wins and a second in his last seven over course and distance with a personal best of 39.30 (calc).
