This Sunday night (7th January 2024) will see the first horse racing evening card as Wolverhampton race under the lights on the ‘day of rest’ in a six-fixture trial by the BHA.
Wolverhampton Sunday Evening Card Has Some Trainers Concerned
Leading bookmakers BetMGM and BetUK are getting behind the first ever Sunday horse racing evening card this weekend (7th January 2024) and with increased prize money than your average Wolverhampton fixture, it’s no shock to see many entries.
The seven-race card on Sunday will boast £145,000 in total prize money across the races. Plus, with each contest a Class 4 or lower, the cash on offer is around three times more than your average midweek AW fixture for similar events.
However, with most horse racing fans and trainers tucked up to watch the latest episode of Vera on a Sunday night, the new weekend night card trial does come with problems.
This new edition to the fixture list is the idea of the BHA commercial committee and will be trialled with six Sunday meetings between January 7th and March 10th. With Newcastle, Chelmsford, Kempton and Southwell also on the rota.
Sunday Evening Horse Racing Fixtures
- 7th Jan: Wolverhampton
- 21st Jan: Chelmsford
- 4th Feb: Newcastle
- 18th Feb: Kempton
- 3rd Mar: Newcastle
- 10th Mar: Southwell
Some trainers and owners are, of course, welcoming the extra prize money as a carrot to run their horses. But they are also worried about staffing levels and if trainers have enough personal at their disposal to get runners to the track.
Plus, many are questioning the actual time of the fixture. Saying Sunday evening is a time that many racing industry folk have off and are able to spend time with their families.
Trainer Charlie Fellowes told the Racing Post
“The prize-money is great, it’s what we all want,” said Fellowes. “Smoky Mountain was very unlucky not to win last time and you’d be mad not to run. Normally for a 0-78 he has no chance of winning that kind of prize-money.”
“There’s two sides to everything,” he said. “As amazing as the prize-money is, it’s another moment of our week when we are racing. And with all the respect in the world to my owners, I don’t want to be racing on a Sunday evening.
“I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old and I don’t get to spend as much time as I would like with them as it is. And Sunday has always been a day when I can spend some time with them and watch them grow up.
“Now, I’ve entered two horses this weekend, so not only are you worried beforehand because you need to speak to the jockey and make sure the horse travelled okay. But if they disappoint you have to speak to an upset owner and, trust me, you’re put in a bad mood.
Fellows added
“So, on a day when I’m not supposed to be racing I’m in a foul mood when I’m meant to be spending some quality time with my family, and you can’t help it when you live the life that we do and put 120 per cent into our work because you care. It impacts your mental health.
“Everybody knows that in this country the prize-money is not brilliant and we should all be doing everything we can to increase the prize-money. But there has to be a line at what expense we’ll do that for.”
“I have no idea how I’m going to staff it, I need volunteers,” Fellowes added. “They’re already working incredibly long hours. We’ve a stretched workforce as it is – this is only going to stretch it even more.”
Stable Staff To Get A £150 Bonus For Attending The Sunday Cards
To help ease the blow on the potential staffing issues some trainers might stable staff will get a £150 bonus payment if attending any of these trial Sunday cards.
However, in return trainers are stating that they will also need to find time in the week to give these staff an extra half a day off. Which at some yards is not going to be easy with stretched cover.
What Channel Will The Wolverhampton Racing Be On?
You can watch the first ever Wolverhampton evening fixture on Sky Racing. Or if you don’t have access to the channel you can join up with the top UK horse racing betting sites, where most will offer live streaming options.
Wolverhampton Race Times (Sunday 7th January 2024)
- 5:30: Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap Cl6 (4yo+ 0-65) 1m1½f SKY
- 6:00: Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB Race) Cl5 (3yo+) 1m1½f SKY
- 6:30: BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-75) 2m½f SKY
- 7:00: Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 1m½f SKY
- 7:30: Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-78) 7f SKY
- 8:00: Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap Cl3 (4yo+ 0-88) 5f SKY
- 8:30: Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap Cl6 (4yo+ 0-55) 6f SKY
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