Masters meet in doubt as Smallmead shuts its doors

Malcolm Unwin • Last updated 12 Aug 2008 12:14 1 Comment

The confirmation by Stadia UK Operations director Bill Glass that Smallmead Stadium will close its doors on October 22 has cast doubt over this year's running of the flagship Reading Masters event.

Talks were due to take place on Wednesday between Reading Stadium's General Manager Martyn Dore and representatives from the track's bookmakers in an attempt to resolve the issue.

The Reading Masters is due to take place in September and is one of the biggest events in the dog racing calendar. The event has a top prize of £20,000 put up by local bookmakers.

In previous years a "gentlemans agreement" has always been adhered to by both parties, ensuring that the bookmaker sponsored event went ahead.

However, although the stadium have met their side of the requirement in 2008, it seems certain elements of the bookmaking fraternity are loathe to keep their side of the bargain, citing the imminent track closure as a get out clause.

Apparantly it will be made very clear to them at the meeting that any reneging on the agreement will seriously jeopardise their likelyhood of trading at the new 'racino' venue, where both greyhound and speedway racing are expected to re-commence in 2010.

One thing that does look likely is that racing will not continue on a three-nightly basis until the closure date. Understandably, the number of runners on the track's graded strength is starting to diminish as trainers seek alternative venues for their dogs to race.

Keith Hardiman has already departed to Bedfordshire track Henlow and Richard Brain had his final runners last Saturday night before moving in the same direction. Ken Humphreys is understood to be re-joining Coventry, resulting in even longer journeys each week from his Fishguard base.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 12 Aug 08

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