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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 21, 2020 12:37:51 GMT
...KIM DETERMINED TO GIVE STAR TREATMENT... As a Coral employee almost two decades ago, Kim Sanzone re-wrote the book on track relationships with owners. Among many other initiatives, it was Kim who originated the idea of tracks offering complementary tables for all Category One finalists. Kim SanzoneNow the personal assistant to the Star Sports directors, Kim will be doing her utmost to make the Star Sports & ARC Derby finalists treasure that most special of all owner experiences.
She said: “To say it’s been a difficult year would be a complete understatement. When I joined Star Sports back in May we were already in the throws of lockdown – 5 months on and we look to be returning to those restrictions. So it’s incredibly disappointing when I read some of the criticism levelled at both Nottingham and Star regarding the Derby as people really don’t see what is happening behind the scenes.
“Ben is passionate about greyhounds and insisted on keeping the show on the road despite having the opportunity to pull out of his commitment due to the current Covid situation – likewise Nottingham for agreeing to maintain this fixture and ensuring it can still proceed albeit at a different date and with different criteria.
“We are already looking at contingency plans should we not be able to have the annual Derby lunch originally scheduled to be at the Ritz in London and then provisionally moved to the restaurant in Nottingham to allow for further social distancing measures to be catered for. It’s currently a waiting game to see what can and can’t be done regarding numbers and table plans – that’s if we are allowed to proceed at all – and it will be a case of wait and see what government guidelines are in the next few days.
“If we can’t go ahead with the lunch then Ben & Star Sports will arrange a special treat for each finalist, it would be disappointing for everyone not to be there as we know how much being in a major final means to owners, trainers and their staff and so we will do our very best to ensure we make it as memorable as we possibly can for them in the circumstances. Additionally, I’ve personally arranged a little memento for each greyhound making it to the final (individually handmade by the amazingly creative Linsey Avery) and these will be at Nottingham ready to hand to connections on the Finals night.
“It has been a logistical nightmare to finalise plans and I want to take this opportunity to thank Nathan Cordon and his fantastic team at Nottingham for ensuring things have run as smoothly as possible and for being so accommodating and helpful – they have been a dream to work with under very tricky circumstances. So many things that would normally be straight forward have had to be reconsidered – such as branded parader’s jackets – these can’t be shared due to Covid guidelines so we made the decision to reserve them for the final – and presentations to winning connections can’t take place the way they normally would due to cross zone restrictions.
“So as you can see both Nottingham and Star Sports are doing their very best to bring you an exciting competition in the most difficult of conditions, all I ask is that you please take this into account when passing judgement – hopefully we will be back to some semblance of normality for the 2021 Derby.
“Finally, good luck to all greyhounds and connections who make it through to this years’ final – try and enjoy the ride – it’s been a bumpy one!” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 21, 2020 20:09:46 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 22, 2020 12:30:40 GMT
...Final draw on Saturday as lunch plans cancelled...
BY PHIL DONALDSON OF THE RACING POST
THE draw for next week's Star Sports & Arc Derby final will take place at Nottingham on Saturday night and shown on RPGTV after it was confirmed that Monday's traditional Derby lunch has been cancelled.
Kim Sanzone of Star Sports said on Thursday: "It's such a shame but given the circumstances we felt it was the best and safest thing to do for everybody concerned and to provide suitable notice.
"Ben [Keith, Star Sports owner] is disappointed at not being able to host and welcome all the connections, but we will be making sure everyone is looked after with gifts and mementos."
Nottingham is currently under Tier 2 conditions with regards to Covid-19 restrictions, but there is every likelihood that the city will move into Tier 3 by Monday, which will bring further complications for travel and enhanced social distancing measures.
Sanzone added: "Getting people to the track safely was a concern, and with some dogs having multiple owners then sitting people down in the same room along with trainers, journalists, track staff and everyone else just wasn't really achievable."
Read more in Friday's Racing Post....
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 22, 2020 20:37:52 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 12:54:28 GMT
ARC AND NOTTINGHAM GREYHOUND STADIUM
ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME RACING POST GREYHOUNDS
AS SPONSORS FOR THE 2020 NATIONAL SPRINT.
Heats - 7 December
Semis - 14 December
Final - 21 December |
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 12:59:30 GMT
....Nottingham To Host RPGTV National Sprint.... Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) and Nottingham Greyhound Stadium are delighted to confirm details of The National Sprint competition for 2020, with Racing Post Greyhound TV (“RPGTV”) sponsoring the event.
Heats will be run on Monday 7 December, with semi finals on 14 December and the Final taking place during Christmas week on 21 December. In addition, RPGTV will sponsor two Category 3 supporting competitions, a 500m Puppy and 500m Standard. All rounds will be shown live on RPGTV.
ARC Greyhound Operations Director, Rachel Corden, said, “The National Sprint is a long-standing Category 2 competition with a history that goes back to 1953 as the Christmas Cracker, and has been held at Nottingham since 1990.
“Since the return of racing, there has been an absence of Sprint competitions, so we are delighted to confirm the 2020 National Sprint at Nottingham, with RPGTV as sponsors, along with the supporting competitions. We are hugely grateful to Clive Lawrence and the RPGTV shareholders for their support of the competition.”
Clive Lawrence of RPGTV said, “RPGTV are proud to be sponsoring the National Sprint this year and to again show our support for events which are under pressure due to the challenging times that the sport is facing at present.
“Finals night promises to be a gala evening of top-quality open racing. What a Christmas present for greyhound fans nationwide!” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 13:06:53 GMT
 Rachel Corden: "We are hugely grateful to RPGTV"RPGTV steps in to sponsor National Sprint at Nottingham.....BY JONATHAN KAY OF THE RACING POSTTHE immediate future of the National Sprint has been assured with the announcement that Racing Post Greyhound TV is to sponsor the traditional end-of-year Nottingham feature in December.
Rachel Corden, greyhound operations director for Arc which runs Nottingham, said: "The National Sprint is a long-standing Category Two competition with a history that goes back to 1953 as the Christmas Cracker, and has been held at Nottingham since 1990.
"Since the return of racing there has been an absence of sprint competitions so we are delighted to confirm the 2020 National Sprint at Nottingham, with RPGTV as sponsors, along with supporting competitions.
"We are hugely grateful to [executive producer] Clive Lawrence and the RPGTV shareholders for their support."
The National Sprint heats will be run on Monday, December 7, with the semis on Monday, December 14 and the final on Monday, December 21. All rounds will be live on RPGTV.
In addition, RPGTV will also be sponsoring two Category Three supporting competitions, a 500m puppy and a 500m standard.
Lawrence said: "RPGTV is proud to be sponsoring the National Sprint this year and to again show our support for events which are under pressure due to the challenging times the sport is facing at present.
"Finals night promises to be a gala evening of top quality open-racing and a great Christmas present for greyhound fans nationwide."
Leading sprinter Shrewd Call is booked for a trial before racing at Nottingham tonight where he is set for a high-class clash with Ballymac Micko and Coolavanny Dylan. |
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Post by beanster on Oct 23, 2020 17:21:04 GMT
They will be spitting feathers on GS , another fake news rumour bites the dust
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 19:29:57 GMT
They will be spitting feathers on GS , another fake news rumour bites the dust The main thing is this long standing competition is being run again this year. |
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 20:23:42 GMT
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