Towcester to usher in a new era this weekend
Towcester have plenty going on over the next few weeks with the Produce Stakes as well as free entry and a revamp of the way the restaurant is run.
Relaunch for Towcester
The Betway Towcester Racecourse is in the process of a significant relaunch and enters a new era this Bank Holiday weekend.
Sunday sees the start of the BGBF Two Year Old Produce Stakes, the first time the Northamptonshire venue has hosted the British-bred annual. Eight heats of the four-round 500m Category One annual take place with racing manager Danny Rayment delighted to be taking on another major event at the go-ahead track.
"We threw our hat into the ring after Swindon closed," he said. "The management here are keen on supporting British breeding and this was a good way to show that. A race like the Produce Stakes has a great history and, while I'm sure it was never under threat of being staged, we here at Towcester were keen to give it a permanent home moving forward.
"We'll also be staging a sprint competition alongside it, sponsored by Elite Electrical. This will be a Category Two event over 270m and will be for 24 dogs worth £3,000 to the winner. It replaces the Northamptonshire Sprint which was staged here a few years back."
Towcester will also now be racing on Monday nights, starting next week. The meeting replaces the Wednesday night fixture at the venue and effectively sees Towcester and Kinsley swapping places on the Premier Greyhound Racing schedule on this night.
September's meetings at Towcester will all be free to enter, albeit Thursday afternoons remain closed to the public. However, all are welcome at their meetings on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - the track racing six times a week.
A Towcester spokesman said: "General admission to greyhound racing at Betway Towcester Racecourse is free again for everyone from September. Children were already free, now adults are too!
"And we're really excited to announce that, from Saturday September 5 and each Saturday onwards our restaurant will have a new walk-in and pre-bookable format. No pre-ordering and guests choose from the menu on the night. Walk-ins are, of course, subject to availability on busier nights.
"On Sundays we will have a full carvery with, again, walk-ins or pre-booked with no pre-ordering."
*Towcester is staging a family fun day on Saturday, September 12.
Billed as 'Fun At The Finish Line', it will run from noon to 6pm alongside the afternoon greyhound fixture. It is free entry for all, albeit advance booking is recommended to guarantee a spot. Walk-ins are welcome.
There will be funfair rides, bouncy castles, axe throwing, tractor rides, face painting, traditional sports games, a raffle, food stalls and a bar.
An optional two-course lunch in the Empress Suite at £34.95 for adults and £15 for under 12s will be avaiable, bookable in advance or on the day.
