Shawfield racing manager Daniel Rankin has 16 potential trainers waiting to sign up for the permit scheme which will officially be rolled out in a week’s time.
He said: “I understand that the meeting to sanction it is due for December 1 and it should be announced the following day. Given the time of year, it looks likely that it will all start with new licences from January 1.
“The 16 trainers who have already been in touch have between two and four dogs each. Even if it was only two each, that represents another five races a week for us. There are also a whole load of other people who have shown an interest but have not committed yet.”
