Exodus at Wimbledon as prize money cuts are announced

/ Editor / 24 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

McEllistrim predicts trainers will vote with their feet after 20% cut at Wimbledon

Norah McEllistrim, the newly elected chairperson of the Greyhound Trainers' Association, hit out at the decision by the Wimbledon management to slash prize money by 20 per cent from the beginning of August at the south London track in the latest Dog Show, aired on Betfair Channel 2 at 4pm on Tuesday.

McEllistrim, one of the longest serving of the eight trainers currently contracted to Wimbledon, described the move as an enormous shock, especially as it came on the back of two previous prize fund cuts in the last couple of years.

She predicted a mass exodus of owners as the effects of the cash shortfall begin to hit home in the coming months and questioned the efficiency of the track's management in capitalising on what has appeared to be an increase in crowds at Wimbledon recently, particularly at weekends.

Also on the show, Pat Buckley, the Irish trainer, considered the chances of his duo, Killahan Phanter and College Causeway in Saturday's Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park, Gary Matthews, the Wimbledon racing manager, looked forward to the Puppy Derby at the weekend and Hull racing manager Mick Smith told us all about the current resurgence at Hull.

Another action packed edition of the Dog Show, live on Betfair Radio Channel 2 at 4pm every Tuesday.

http://betting.betfair.com/radio/