Racing For Peanuts

It looks like things have heated up between trainers, owners and ARC racecourses this week as the former two staged a boycott of a pair of races at the ARC-owned Lingfield on Saturday. One race attracted no runners whilst the other just got one so was a walkover. I didn't have a horse lined up for either race but if I had, you can be assured that I would have fully supported the boycott. Yes, we all want to have a winner but it has got to the point with ARC now that they are taking the piss with regards to prize money having slashed it earlier this month. Now it is common place to see races worth £1800 to the winner - this barely covers a month's costs of owning that horse and will simply drive people out of the sport. We have all seen the huge crowds racecourses get at times and the extortionate prices they charge for food and drink plus they get a hell of a lot of money through media rights so to not look after the people who provide the show really isn't on.
Just think that Wolverhampton (one of the least glamorous or popular tracks around) reportedly made over £600,000 profit last year and yet offers pitiful prizemoney. There is an ideal race for Majestic Moon there next week but with £1800 on offer to the winner, I'd be embarrassed to even let my owners run for those peanuts.
I'm not the only one - virtually every trainer in the country is in agreement over this and there will be plenty more headlines to come from this story in the coming weeks to make ARC realise that we won't be taken for mugs. 

We haven't been at the races too much recently but there has been loads happening at home as the team get into full flight for the upcoming turf season.
Sea Shack was our sole representative last week and he couldn't keep up his consistent run after going off a little too fast from his wide draw. He's a tough horse though who will bounce back.

This week looks quiet enough too with just a couple of entries.
Limerick Lord has perked right up since running away from his usual haunt of Southwell and he backed up his Wolverhampton win with a solid run at Lingfield last time. He's back at Wolves on this occasion and can hopefully put in another good show. His wide draw is a bit of a pain but he has plenty of early speed so should be able to get across and to the front.

The other runner for the week is Lulu Star at Chelmsford on Saturday. She was a bit outclassed up in grade last time so hopefully finds things a bit easier here at a track she won at last year. We'll probably put a 7lb apprentice on her too to take some more weight off her back as she is only a small filly but has a great attitude to racing.

I'm delighted to say that Great Yarmouth racecourse have very kindly once again agreed to sponsor our popular Four To Follow competition for 2019 and have offered another fantastic prize for the winer. It will kick off on April 1st and details will be released soon so keep posted!