With around 150 miles between Yarmouth and Towcester, the closure of the Northamptonshire venue has had limited effect on the Norfolk venue, bar the return of trainer Bernie Warren.
However, this week’s event have opened up two fixtures in the ARC schedule, the Saturday morning and Sunday evening race meetings. So is Yarmouth likely to expand to four meetings per week?
Promoter Simon Franklin said: “I think we are one of the few tracks who would have extra capacity, and I have never denied that we would like another meeting. But if it wasn’t financially lucrative, why bother?
“We would need to take on a few more dogs, with all the costs involved, plus special licence fees and prize money; I haven’t been officially approached so far so I’ll keep an open mind.”
Certainly the impending RPGTV East Anglian Derby, and supporting opens, will see a number of the local graders confined to their beds.
As previously reported, this year’s event will have a few tweaks to previous formats including a 16 race card for the semi finals.
Franklin said: “We are taking Sheffield’s slot on the night and are having to build another six kennels to accommodate the 16-race card. The only other changes relate to prize money including increases in win money for the second round and semi finals.”
