Shawfield racing manager Daniel Rankin is expecting his first owner trainer (permit) runners to start trialling by mid-February with the earliest runners on the card in a month.
He said: “GBGB have confirmed 20 applications from owners wanting to train here. So far GBGB have confirmed that ten have already registered with more are in the pipeline; I sent another three away yesterday with others promising that they intend to do so. Realistically we know that this is just the start; I am expecting plenty more in the coming months.
“We are expecting to stage the first trials in two weeks. Most of the dogs will need two trials, with any dogs who have already raced or trialled here just needing one trial. Realistically, it will be the first week in March before they are on the card. It has been a long time in coming but will be worth the wait.”
To date, five non-BAGS tracks have been given the go-ahead to join the trial for the new licence: Henlow, Harlow, Mildenhall, Shawfield and Mildenhall. If successful, others are certain to follow. The Star have received over 600 emails in support of the new scheme.
