Saturday night will be all right for Star Pelaw from 25th April
REGULAR Saturday night greyhound racing will return to the north-east for the first time in over six years at Star Pelaw beginning on 25th April.
Not since pre-Covid in early 2020 have any of Star Pelaw, Newcastle or Sunderland raced regularly on traditionally the most popular night of the week for spectators but the recent changes to the SIS greyhound schedule have thrown up an opportunity that Star Pelaw is only too happy to grasp.
As such, the current Sunday evening meeting will be permanently brought forward 24 hours in another change after Thursday nights at the track were moved to Friday afternoon from this week.
Kim Sanzone, head of greyhound racing operations for the track's owners Star Sports, said: "We're all very excited at Star Pelaw about the regular Saturday fixtures starting on 25th April.
"Saturday nights were always the most popular night for the greyhound community to meet up, so a return to a traditional evening out for our trainers, owners and patrons is a welcome addition.
"As we are the only greyhound venue in the local area offering a Saturday night fixture we are anticipating a good turnout each week and plan to offer live entertainment after racing at least once a month.
"It will be a huge boost for the track and cements the commitment of both SIS and ourselves to sustaining the track".
Richard Brankley, head of greyhound operations for SIS, said: "I’m delighted that Star Pelaw is championing Saturday night racing in the north-east.
"At a time when the sport is fighting to justify its social licence, it's more important than ever to promote racing at the weekends and bring people back to tracks.
"Under Star Racing, Pelaw has established a three-meetings a week schedule, invested in new lighting, developed on-site kennelling for attached trainers and staged the country’s first hurdles race in over a year as the track continues to grow."
Star Pelaw will now operate a three-times weekly programme with meetings on Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon in addition to the Saturday evening.
