The open race quality at Sheffield is about to be turned up to full volume with no less than SIX events following fighting for space in the early days of spring writes Floyd Amphlett.
Events kick off with the £5,000 Racing Post Juvenile on Saturday March 2.
The following weekend sees the first of three Saturday fixtures (March 9th, 16th, 23rd) featuring the £10,000 RPGTV Steel City Cup.
The following Tuesday sees the heats of the 660m Queen Mother Cup, with the final on Mothering Sunday, March 31.
The previous night sees the start of the £4,000 BGBF Puppy Cup with the semis destined for Saturday April 6, which is the same night at the GAIN sponsored GTA Trainers Championship meeting. The puppy final is on Saturday April 13th.
The following Tuesday sees the start of the most lucrative two-bender in the calendar, the 280m Bresmed Sprint. It will be run on consecutive April Tuesdays, 16th, 23rd and 30th. In addition to the £8,000 winner’s prize, all other finalists collect £1,000.
With the exception of the Queen Mother events, all races will be on RPGTV and all have sustained their 2018 prize money levels.
The main who has stitched it all together is Dave Perry. But as a member of the often maligned open race planning committee, he could find himself under more intense pressure than most.
He said: “We plan our competitions six months in advance. If everybody put forward their planned events according to the rules, there wouldn’t be any problems.
“The only event that we have moved is the Steel City Cup, which was always run close to the Scottish Derby but got put back to later in the year due to SKY. I think the March slot suits it a lot better.”
Despite the loss of Sean Parker and Alex Hopkins to Doncaster late last year, Sheffield have maintained their kennel strength.
Dave said: “The other trainers have increase their numbers and we currently have 410 dogs available. Like everyone, we have been affected by a bit a sickness, but it is just about the ideal number.”
