Joint Towcester racing manager James Chalkley is confident that the track can quickly respond after falling victim to a runner shortage.
(According to the greyhoundstats.co.uk kennel strength calculator, it currently stands at around 84.7%. The ideal is around 120% though only Pelaw Grange and Perry Barr currently exceed that. Eight tracks currently show less than 100%)
James said: “We were a bit caught out when we inherited the meeting that Central Park gave up, which is now our Monday fixture. We have Peter Harnden and Dave Jeans trialing in, each with around 30-40 dogs. Jason Foster and Kevin Crocker both have around 10 dogs.
“The problem is, there is always a three week lag between them joining and getting the three lines of form that SIS are looking for. We are nearly there now. It has been a bit tight but you can’t ask people to grade dogs if there aren’t the races available for them.
“There are other trainers arriving though some are destined to go to Henlow. There is an incredible list for Oxford which may have the opposite problem with too many dogs. If Oxford starts off with two meetings, it looks likely that a number of trainers will need to be dual attached if they want to get enough races for their dogs.
“Kevin (Boothby) is also determined to keep the standalone (non SIS) Saturday meetings going. The crowds for the Saturday nights have been incredible.”
The track’s next Cat One event, the £12,500-to-winner Stadium Bookmakers Marathon Trophy gets underway on Sunday. It is for 24 greyhounds over the 942m course.
James said: “Realistically, 24 might be a push, but we would still go ahead with 18, and I would be quite comfortable that we will get them. We have six in the book already and the entries don’t close until Wednesday. We also have other competitions over the sprint, standard and staying distances.”
