Star Pelaw looking to stage one of the headline hurdle competitions
Star Pelaw racing manager Dave Gray was delighted with how the first hurdles race at the track went, with bigger ambitions for the jumps later on in the year.
Gray excited about hurdles future at Star Pelaw
Star Pelaw racing manager Dave Gray was delighted to have begun a new era at the north east track on Tuesday when staging the first ever hurdles race at the venue - and the first in the sport for over a year.
Won by Mickys Tribute, one of a four-strong team of runners sent up to the Chester-le-Street venue by Ricky Holloway, greyhound racing's most successful hurdles trainer, the winner led at the first bend in the Bet On Course With Star Sports Hurdle and jumped well for a three and three-quarter lengths win over kennelmate Dazl Hermes in 26.35 (-30) for the 435mH trip.
Gray said: "There was not a more relieved man at Star Pelaw than myself, but thankfully the hurdles proved a comprehensive success.
"It's been a long-held ambition of Star Sports supremo Ben Keith that hurdles racing should become a feature at the track and finally this was brought to fruition with Mickys Tribute going down in history as the first winner - and new track record holder! - over the 435m hurdles course.
"There was some minor crowding on the run to the first hurdle from the two middle seeded runners but apart from that the race went smoothly.
"After the race Ricky was very complimentary about the set-up here at Star Pelaw and configuration of the hurdles, and was delighted the way his charges performed.
"Looking to the future, we'd really like to stage one of the headline hurdle competitions if things continue to go to plan - perhaps at the back-end of the year.
"I'd also like to put on record my personal thanks for the support and assistance we've received for getting this project off the ground - from Entain and Crayford for allowing us to have their hurdles, to our regulator the GBGB, especially senior stipendiary steward Duncan Gibson for his guidance, and most of all Rick Holloway who, without his energy, enthusiasm and willingness to travel the length of the country, this wouldn't be possible.
"To support us with not only his dogs but some sage advice as well, it's a big thank-you to him, and all the others who made this happen."
