Great Leighs Racecourse Suffers New Setback
Friday 18 January 2008
Britain's first new racecourse for 80 years has been forced to delay its opening again. Great Leighs, near Chelmsford in Essex, had hoped to host its inaugural fixtures on 18 and 20 March. Racecourse officials are now targeting an opening eight days later on 26 March, BBC news reports.
The officials insist its all-weather Polytrack will be fit for racing despite recent heavy rainfall that has affected the progress.
Permission to race has yet to be granted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Inspectors have pencilled in a visit on 7 February, when they will examine the track again. The BHA says the course is not ready, but Great Leighs chairman John Holmes blamed the latest setback on a clash with the 'Lesters', a racing awards ceremony. The awards, named after legendary jockey Lester Piggott, take place on Thursday, 20 March.
It gives busy riders a chance to let their hair down with no racing the following day on Good Friday. Holmes said the Great Leighs opening was put back after Jockeys' Association chief Josh Apiafi asked him to rearrange the Thursday floodlit card.
(As reported by the BBC news)
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