Swindon’s on-off Produce Stakes trial session scheduled for tomorrow is now officially OFF writes Floyd Amphlett. The stadium had managed to whittle the number of confirmed entries down to 72, only to discover late last week that late entries would indeed require all runners to contest a trial session.
Assistant RM Clive Oseman said: “We got up to 81 only to have several withdraw, taking us down to 77. We phoned around and asked several trainers if they were prepared to withdraw their weaker runners. That took us to 73 when thankfully David Mullins offered to speak to the owner of his A8 runner at Romford and they agreed to withdraw. It meant we didn’t have to ask people travel huge distances for a trial session to eliminate one runner.”
Is it not time to amend the rules to something similar to the Springbok? In other words, any run recorded over course and distance since January would remain on the books and act as a qualifying run?
Oseman said: “Up until now, we have never had a problem with too many runners, but it is certainly something we could consider for next year.”
Tuesday’s non-compulsory trial session will still go ahead with a number of entries scheduled for a preparatory view of the course. The trap draw will be made at GBGB HQ on Wednesday.
