Click rights for East Anglian Derby
Yarmouth confirm that internet site Click Competitions are to sponsor the East Anglian Derby for the second time.
The 78th staging of the event gets underway on Wednesday September 4 but there are two additonal points of note this year. The first is that there is no entry fee for the first time. Secondly, it will be a 36 runner event, having previously always been staged over four nights.
(The semis are set for Wednesday September 11 and the final on Wednesday September 18.)
The East Anglian Derby was one of only a handful of competitions given dispensation to be staged with an entry in excess of 36. The group also includes the Oaks, Produce Stakes and English Derby.
Promoter Simon Franklin said: “There are just so many competitions and we struggled for entries to we agreed to settle on the 36”
The winner’s prize remains at £15,000 to the winner, with £3,000 to the runner-up, £2,000 to the third and £1,000 for the other finalists.
Simon said: “We are very hopeful all supporting opens on the final night will be £1,000 to the winner. The Sprint and Purse are both sponsored as well and have increased prize money. Details to follow.”
Remembering Harry and helping hounds
HARRY WILLIAMS -at Sunderland in 2010 – Pic Steve Nash
In a move that would certainly have gone down well with the man himself, Sunderland have chosen to make their Harry Williams Memorial Meeting a fundraiser for the local Durham and District Retired Greyhounds.
Final night is on Friday June 28 with the final of the £7,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup headlining a 12-race card filled with supporting opens each named in honour of some of Harry’s most successful dogs. (Entries close on Monday – July pups and younger).
The meeting will also feature the final of the Harry Williams Blue Artisan British Bred final worth £1,500 to the winner, sponsored by the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF).
Hospitality boxes on the night are already sold out,and it should be a fitting tribute to one of the four founders who bought and redeveloped the old Sunderland flapping track in 1989.
Joanne Wilson, general manager at Sunderland Stadium, first worked at the track under Harry’s ownership and hopes to see a strong turnout on the night.
“Harry was greyhound racing through and through,” said Joanne. “His passing last summer came as a huge loss to everyone, and we all miss him dearly.
“Our first Harry Williams Memorial Race Night will be a great occasion, and celebrate a man whose influence on greyhound racing in the north-east is still felt to this day.
“We’re sure there’ll be plenty of stories and memories re-lived through the night, and we encourage those who knew Harry to turn out in force and make it one to remember.”
OPENS
Thursday: Hove ♦ Newcastle ♦ Swindon
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Central Park ♦ Perry Barr ♦ TOWCESTER
