Pontefract’s opening meeting of 2014 takes place next Tuesday (April 8) with a seven-race programme starting at 2-10 p.m. – the first of 16 meetings at the course this year.
Prior to racing, the newly-constructed Betting Hall will be officially opened by Paul Lee, Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, while the upgraded owners & trainers entrance adjacent to the Winning Post will be in use for the first time.
The afternoon’s most valuable race is the New Betting Hall Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter, a £20,000 contest which should attract several quality middle-distance horses.
The High-Rise Median Auction Maiden Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a quarter) is named after the 1998 Derby winner, High-Rise, who was successful at this equivalent meeting that year prior to winning at Epsom. Last year’s winner, Libertarian almost emulated High-Rise, when he went on to be runner-up in the Derby, after winning the Dante Stakes at York in May. He also occupied fourth place in last year’s St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster.
The eleventh Pontefract Stayers’ Championship is launched with The Jamaican Flight Handicap Stakes, a contest over two and a quarter miles. Named after one of the most consistent stayers seen at Pontefract in recent years, Jamaican Flight, this race is the start of a competition which incorporates all eight races for stayers during Pontefract’s season. Riptide, trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore took the honours last year. There are bonuses totaling £3,000 on offer throughout the series for the connections of the horse accumulating the most number of points when the Championship concludes in October,
Tuesday’s card begins with The Pontefract Loyalty Card Handicap Stakes over one mile. For the fourth year, a ‘Loyalty Card’, will be printed in the racecards during the first meetings of the season in April, May and June. This scheme enables racegoers who pay to enter the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure at these meetings – and get the card stamped each time – free entry to another meeting of their choice later in the season.
Also, Pontefract’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ scheme has been extended to cover the Yorkshire region those attending Tuesday’s meeting who have a HG Postcode (Harrogate & District) can take part in the promotion by pre-booking for forthcoming designated meetings costing only £2 into the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure. See the racecourse website for further details on how to book www.pontefract-races.co.uk
Last year, the racecourse held a staff reward scheme to members of the raceday staff who displayed excellent customer service, and there will be presentations to the recipients on Tuesday.
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will assist racegoers in following all Tuesday’s action.