The most openings
‘Open races never seem to fill these days’ noted a well known trainer recently.
The perception among many racegoers – that open races are struggling to fill – might be true. It is also valid that between Monday and Wednesday, only Nottingham stage opens on a regular basis.
However, it may come as a surprise to many that despite there being five less tracks than ten years ago (25 v 20), the number of open races has increased significantly.
A study from March 2014 showed that there were 383 opens staged and split between: 66-Sheffield, 50-Romford, 49-Nottingham, 37-Monmore, 36-Central Park, 34-Hove, 32-Henlow, 15-Swindon, 10-Crayford, Perry Barr, Shawfield, 9-Wimbledon 6-Doncaster, 5-Pelaw Grange, Poole, 4-Sunderland, What’s more of those 383 opens, they included 65 stayers races, 20 marathons and 10 hurdle events.
Ten years on and in March 2024, there were 457 (16% more)”: 59-Oxford, 47-Hove, 46-Romford, 40-Doncaster, 39-Sheffield, 36-Monmore, 33-Towcester, 32-Central Park, 28-Crayford, 26-Suffolk Down, 24-Valley, 19-Swindon, 12 Nottingham, 7-Perry Barr, Yarmouth 2-Newcastle. Of which 93 were stayers races and 22 marathons.
What is less clear though – is the relative competitiveness of each race.
ANTE POST
OPEN WINNERS:
Romeo To Victory (Magical Bale-Fabulous Pearl, Jul 21) continues to set the pace in the open race winner’s table. Tom Heilbron’s sprinter currently has nine wins from 15 races and will be looking to go into double figures on Friday night at Sunderland.
Another sprinter, Quagos Jack is on 8 victories along with middle distance runners Rioja Maxi and Whisky Copper and hurdler Coppice Fox.
7 wins: Bettys Jack, Broadway Murty, Clairekeith Remy, Druids Say Go, Emers Sammy, Quarteira.
DERBY favourite KIng Memphis returns to the track following his withdrawal from the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile with a trial at Hove on Thursday night. An interesting session will also feature Hunt Cup winner Havana Top Note.
OPENS
Thursday: Suffolk Downs ♦ Swindon
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland
Saturday: Hove ♦ Perry Barr ♦ Yarmouth
Sunday: Towcester
