Wimbledon racing manager Gary Matthews believes the track are 50 runners, and at least one trainer short of their optimum kennel strength.
Thankfully, with their BAGS fixtures due on a regular Saturday night, and not due to start until after the William Hill Derby has been completed (June 27), the pressure can be managed by supplementing with regular opens.
Matthews said: “I think the kennel strength will naturally rise once we start racing on BAGS because there will be some owners who will want to watch their dogs in the shops.”
There are just under10 weeks to the Derby closing date which is scheduled for Tuesday May 19.
Matthews said: “We are going to close it a day earlier than usual, on the Tuesday instead of the Wednesday, because we want to allow for an extra day to trial.
“We have the additional Irish travel arrangements to consider this year but I think all the Irish trainers are aware of them. They are an inconvenience, not a major problem.”
As for the future winner, Matthews confesses to have been hugely impressed by Racing Post Juvenile runner-up Newinn Yolo.
He said: “I thought he ran an absolute stormer and could go a long way in the competition. I do wonder whether being beaten in the Juvenile might be a good thing. Winning it seems to be cursed.”
