The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Whippet Derby is on track
THE JEWEL in Scotland’s whippet racing calendar will go ahead as planned this month, despite fears for its future when trouble flared at last year’s event.
The 2011 Scottish Derby final had to be abandoned when gypsy travellers invaded the field, forcing competitiors and spectators to flee.
Doubts were expressed as to whether the popular event would ever be held in the town again but following assurances that extra security would be in place, a decision was made to stage it as normal.
The derby, hosted by Kirkcaldy Whippet Club for 17 years, attracts racers from across the UK and Ireland and is a welcome money spinner for the Fife economy.
This year’s events begin on Randolph playing fields, Kirkcaldy, on Saturday and races will run throughout the week.
Whippet racing’s biggest event, the derby, will be held on Saturday July 28 with the finals the following day.
Last year, the event was stopped with 10 races to go when caravans tore into the arena.
It is believed the travellers had been fighting among themselves on the A92 before continuing their battle at the edge of the playing fields.
They then set up camp there but moved on a few days later after being threatened with legal action by Fife Council.
Derby organiser Arthur Cook from Kirkcaldy Whippet Club, said a barrier would be kept across the field’s entrance this year to prevent any unwanted visitors from invading.
“We’re very pleased it’s going ahead this year again,” he said.
“I was thinking about packing it all in after last year, but this is the biggest event of its kind in the UK.
“We started off not even in the top 10 and for the last five years we’ve been number one.
“People are coming from Wick in Scotland right down to Southampton – from all over England as well as Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
He said despite the heavy rainfall the ground was in tip-top condition.
“We’ve been up every day this week and at the moment it’s perfect.”