Western Daily Press (Saturday)
McCain: ARC shameful over prize-money
DONALD McCain has hit out at Arena Racing Company’s prizemoney levels after declaring the sole runner in a contest at Sedgefield tomorrow, as the Durham track became the latest to be hit by a trainer boycott.
ARC announced in December it was cutting back on its prizemoney contributions as the operator prepares for an expected shortfall in the levy because of betting shop closures following the Government’s decision to lower the maximum FOBT stake from £100 to £2. This decision has been met with dismay by many trainers and the situation came to a head last weekend after two races at Lingfield were boycotted – with no runners declared in one and Nick Littmoden’s Greybychoice having a walkover in another.
In a temporary move, ARC announced on Thursday it was reallocating prize-money to increase funds in the lowergrade races, but that move has not appeased everyone in the training fraternity – with Classicwinning trainer Ralph Beckett calling on his fellow trainers to boycott meetings at ARC tracks for three days next week.
And now trainers have combined to stage an unexpected boycott at Sedgefield this weekend, with Wasowski – owned and trained by McCain – the only horse in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap Hurdle from 23 original entries, meaning another walkover.
McCain said: “I’ve been asked to support it (the boycott) and I have. This not just a new thing. ARC haven’t been putting enough money into the game for many years – it’s shameful.”
Wasowski’s presence ensures ARC will have to pay out the total prize fund of £3,500 – and McCain confirmed the money will be donated to the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Jack Berry House in Malton. McCain only returned to action this week after his yard was placed on lockdown following the outbreak of equine flu.