RACING:RACING'S authorities are pondering whether to run next year's Darley Irish Oaks on a Saturday evening.

Horse Racing Ireland revealed their 2013 fixture list yesterday which showed the overall number of meetings remaining at 349, including the retention of 14 winter meetings at Dundalk.

However, with Curragh officials satisfied with the results of running the Derby on a Saturday evening this year, the chances of doing the same with the Oaks are increasing.

“It is something we are considering. The Derby was a success this year so it is a change we are discussing with the sponsors. However, there are other considerations, such as clashes with other events and the TV scheduling and times, etc,” said the Curragh manager, Paul Hensey, yesterday.

“The TV audience for the Derby was up 300 per cent this year and given the poor weather, the fact the attendance was up 500 was a major plus, too,” he added.

Other big race planning centred on Leopardstown’s Hennessy Gold Cup, which has been moved from a Sunday to Saturday, February 9th to avoid a clash with the Ireland-England rugby international.

– BRIAN O’CONNOR