Pullin looking for trouble-free start
Clerk of the course Jon Pullin is hoping for a smooth introduction of the new team of Arena stalls handlers at Wolverhampton this evening.
Although nearly all the senior riders have opted to boycott the meeting in protest at the decision to use the track’s own team rather than the traditional RaceTech handlers, the fixture still goes ahead with a full card of six races.
The new handlers have received extensive training but tonight will be their first experience of raceday action.
Pullin said: “We’ve obviously put the new team together and we have had some good training sessions in the last few weeks.
“That obviously culminated in the Jockey Club giving them the required accreditation last week – so fingers crossed everything will go according to plan tonight.”
A total of 64 horses are set to go to post with only two non-runners declared.
“We are obviously delighted with the support that we have received from trainers and jockeys tonight,” Pullin added.
“The senior jockeys have taken the view that they are going to boycott this evening’s meeting but fortunately for those owners and trainers that have wanted to run, they have been given the opportunity.”
A number of the big-name riders will be in action at Windsor tonight – a track which is also owned by Arena Leisure but is still serviced by the RaceTech stalls teams.
Pullin said: “Obviously the senior jockeys have taken the view to target Wolverhampton again for some reason but Windsor is an Arena course and at the moment the plan is to just keep our team at the all-weather tracks.”
The senior riders took the decision to boycott Wolverhampton’s meeting after expressing their concerns over safety issues with the new team and the long-term prospects for the RaceTech handlers.
