Towcester investing in track improvements

TOWCESTER RACECOURSE has embarked on a significant programme of investment and improvement in its greyhound racing operation since Orchestrate, backed by owner Mike Davis, took over the lease in November.

Central to many of the improvements has been a focus on the racing surface at the Northampton venue as well as those tasked with maintaining it.

The track has secured the services of respected consultant Josh Sealey, alongside the full-time appointment of experienced manager Derren Sealey, to bolster the commitment to delivering a consistently fair, safe and high-quality surface.

Head of racing James Chalkley said: “Bringing Josh and Derren gives us a wealth of specialist knowledge on how to get the very best out of Towcester’s circuit and overcome the challenges we ultimately face.

“Their experience is already making a visible difference to how the track is prepared and presented for every meeting. One part of this has been the acquiring of thermal track covers which have already proved to withstand a recent cold snap and protected the track.”

300 tonnes of new sand has been added to the running surface at Towcester

On the track itself, approximately 300 tonnes of new sand has been added as part of a complete overhaul.

Chalkley said: “We have not been afraid to go right back to the basics with the surface. The extra sand and revised maintenance regimes are about delivering a track that is as safe as possible for the greyhounds to run on, from the first race to the last, all-year round.”

However, the investment in care and maintenance of the track goes beyond personnel and surface changes. It also includes a full suite of new track equipment purchased – including tractors, grading plates, harrows, rotavators and water bowsers.

Large sections of the hare rail have also been replaced with further plans to install spare hare motors to reduce any risk of mechanical failure.

New harrow in action at Towcester, part of significant investment into track maintenance

The strengthening of the track operation has coincided with an expanded racing schedule, with Towcester now staging five meetings per week on the PGR schedule. This growth has been supported by an influx of new trainers - Darryl Porter, Peter Swadden and Kevin Crocker from Swindon, together with Dave Jeans, Tony Welch and Nick Deas from Oxford.

“We are delighted to have the support of the new trainers,” said Chalkley.

“We have introduced a new prize-money and trainer payment structure that we believe offers an industry-leading package and we are moving forward with plans to offer additional owner benefits and rewards.”

Last year, of the 2,911 graded races staged, 1,625 were over the 270m sprint trip (55.8 per cent). But planning is under way to introduce an additional race distance of approximately 460m in a bid to widen the range of options to trainers and increase the number of four-bend races.

On the fast-paced and thorough improvements at the track, Chalkley said: “This is all part of a long-term vision. Towcester is committed to being at the forefront of greyhound racing, and every investment we make is geared towards giving participants and spectators the best possible experience on and off the track.”

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