As anticipated, Stadia UK have confirmed that they are to drop their Friday night fixtures from March 1.
Trainers were informed of the move on Friday but the announcement was sweetened with several announcements including a plan to increase the Saturday evening prize money in line with BAGS rewards.
There will also be further increases in prize money in some grades and a rise in ‘runner money’ which was backdated.
BS director Bill Glass said: “The Friday double header has been a logistical nightmare for a couple of years now and the move to Friday morning from Friday afternoon, oddly, rather than making it easier has put more pressure into the system for staff and trainers because of the length of day it has set up.
“The meetings were down to 5 dog races since before Christmas and that was also spreading to Saturday as a result.
“With less dogs and trainers about these days in general and a return to 13 races on Saturday the new schedule should not impact significantly on the number of runs available, which is one factor which has been raised.
“Personally, I think we have been punching above our weight for the last few years with five meetings a week and four – two day and two evening – is a good, solid schedule to move forward with.
“Many tracks around the country have moved to a similar format in recent years.”
