RACING: The Denny Chase is the highlight of today's Tralee card but there could be just as much focus on the turnstiles before racing.
The response of locals to the plight of the crisis-hit track was yesterday described as "disappointing" by one director but a spokesman for the Tralee Supporters Club vehemently disagreed.
Des Grace, a board member, said yesterday: "The crowd this afternoon is just okay and you would have to say the response has been disappointing. To give the track a chance we are relying on people coming through the gates and if they don't, I can't see where we are going."
Grace announced Tralee had run at a €141,000 loss in 2002 but Eddie Barrett of the Supporters Club queried the figure and also the paying attendance figure reported for Tuesday.
"They didn't count in pre-sold tickets of any kind and there must have been at least 500 of those on the first day. Actually I think the attendances have been very good," Barrett said yesterday.
He added: "I read that €141,000 figure but €120,000 of that was for a new roof for the stand. I can say emphatically racing made money on this track last year."
Barrett also reported that the on-course bookmakers have pledged €100,000 towards the survival of the track but generosity will be in short supply during today's eight-race card.
The ground conditions were described as "bullet-like" by one jockey yesterday and of the 11 runners for the big chase, Loan Man is more likely than most to operate on the fast conditions. Ruby Walsh's mount won on quick ground at Killarney and was up against it behind Golden Row at Galway subsequently.
The Denny Havasnack hosts the former Group winner Quality Team who on figures should win at his leisure. However, Quality Team's history of back problems is hardly encouraging on this ground and this could come down between Masteroffoxhounds and Royal Alphabet.
Ballygill Heights rates the bet in the first maiden hurdle while Diplomatic Gamble can make her first handicap start a winning one over the mile.
