Hove are to stage a new ‘Cat 1’ competition over their 490 metre course, the Coral Winter Derby.
The 36 runner event gets underway on Thursday February 21, with the semis a week later and the final on Thursday March 7th. The winner’s prize will be £10,000.
Ladbrokes Coral Director of Stadia Ian Smyth said: “I think the general consensus is that the new distance has been a big success as reflected by the number of open race entries, and the feedback from the local trainers so it is appropriate that we have a Cat 1 event to reflect that.
“As the year wears on, the plan is for a better balance between 490 and 515 metre events.”
The final of the Winter Derby will coincide with the re-opening of the kitchen for the Hove restaurant.
Smyth said: “The first part of the refurb to the restaurant is done and although it is sealed off, the feedback from the owners who have seen it has been very positive. It would have been nice to have had the whole project completed for the Winter Derby first round, but we are not far off.”
Meanwhile work is on schedule at Romford with the work due to be completed by the end of February.
Ian Smyth said: “There has been a lot of work going on behind screens, but at last the progress we have made is visible. We are certainly on the downhill section now working towards completion on time at the end of June.
“The switching of the racing operation to the far side will take place towards the end of the whole project, once the new judge’s box has been completed.”
