Wimbledon’s graded strength is slowly building. It has risen from around 138 in mid June to the 145 mark due to a series of factors.
Grading time has been eased by ten spots to 30.30, prize money has increased from last weekend by £35 per race and the track has started to qualify some younger dogs.
Racing Manager Gary Matthews said: “The grading time doesn’t make a great difference other than it makes it easier for bottom grade runners to re-qualify if they have been off the strength. The extra prize money, £10 per winner and £5 for also-rans, only started last weekend so has had no effect. But we are definitely seeing some younger dogs qualifying. Ray Butler alone has a dozen which he left in Ireland while the Derby was on but are just having their first sprint trials here.”
Wimbledon filled just one of next weekend’s opens, a hurdle event featuring six local runners.
Matthews said: “The dogs just aren’t there. I don’t think Sunderland would have affected us, but a lot of dogs had tough Derby campaigns and we are also competing with the first round of the Sussex Cup.”
