Trail-blazing Southwell happy to be first course to trial lunchtime racing

Southwell is set to become the first of three courses to trial a lunchtime meeting when it stages a Fibresand fixture on May 1 – although the only difference for participants is likely to be the food on offer.

The track's executive director Mark Clayton said: "We're used to preparing for Flat racing at this time during the winter with first-race times as early as 11.20am, so this doesn't involve any changes.

"We might put breakfast on, as the gates will open at 10am. We're happy to contribute to the lunchtime racing trial in what's proving a tough year for the industry.

"Lots of people are working to the same end, and if this provides an opportunity to boost levy and turnover we at Southwell are happy to help."

Southwell executive director Mark Clayton: happy to help

The lunchtime experiment is to measure whether there is potential to boost the interest of punters in betting shops and online after the loss of FOBT turnover due to the government's imposition of the £2 maximum stake law.

Whether having Southwell lead the way, with the first lunchtime racing trial fixture a week on Wednesday, proves a shrewd move remains to be seen.

Its Flat meeting on the Fibresand will be the second of three quick meetings at the course, with one two days beforehand and another the following day.

Southwell’s May 1 meeting will be the second of three quick meetings at the course, with one two days beforehand and another the following day. Therefore field sizes may potentially be vulnerable, along with racegoer numbers.

The other two scheduled lunchtime racing trial meetings are at Newton Abbot on May 29 and Nottingham on June 5.

Andy Clifton: racing director at the Racecourse AssociationCredit: Edward Whitaker

Andy Clifton, racing director at the Racecourse Association, announced the initiative.

He said: "Given the way in which our industry is funded, putting racing on at times when customers have an appetite to bet on it is – and always has been – important, but that also needs to be balanced with the pressures on horsemen, the desire of racing fans to attend in person and our ability to promote the sport to both existing and potential new audiences."

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