Track Talk: Luck hasn’t been kind to Monmore men
Wolverhampton will be looking to take advantage of race rusty Swindon on Monday – but they’ll have to do it without Nick Morris, who switched to Monmore during the winter from the Wiltshire team.
They have named the rider replacement facility for the Aussie, who suffered a wrist injury in Poland three weeks ago and went under the knife yesterday – he’s now expected to miss the next three weeks, writes Nigel Pearson.
Fortunes haven’t been kind to the Monmore men so far this season. They lost Jacob Thorssell on the eve of the campaign when his injury hadn’t healed properly – then Morris was hurt and last Monday against Peterborough the rain came and stopped the meeting after Heat 2. Surely things can only get better for Peter Adams’ men – but even against a Swindon team who have yet to race their first meeting of the season they won’t find it a stroll in the park.
I expect it to be a good meeting, but with 2017 World Champion Jason Doyle back with the Robins they will be a threat for anyone. He’s backed up by fellow Aussie Troy Batchelor, who is a class act on his day, and look solid throughout.
It’s a big week for Swindon as they take to their new home track at the Abbey Stadium for the first time on Thursday against Poole. But whilst they will no doubt have one eye on that special night, they will arrive at Monmore ready for the challenge.
Wolverhampton will be TV stars on at least four occasions this season. BT Sport yesterday unveiled their dates and fixtures for the domestic coverage in their third season of covering domestic racing.
They’ll be at the Monday May 20 clash between newly promoted Ipswich and the Parrys International Wolves and will also cover the trip to Poole on June 17.
The cameras will then be at Monmore for the clash with Peterborough on Monday August 12 and again on September 2 for the visit of King’s Lynn.
I hope we see bumper crowds at all meetings – it’s great on TV, but even better when you’re at the track!
Max Clegg celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday – and he’s as keen as ever to get going with Cradley.
Max first came to the Heathens in 2013 as a rookie and we won the title in his first season with us – along with other major honours.
He’s made a good start to the season with Newcastle in the Championship but he’ll be back with the Heathens on May 6 for the Bank Holiday clash with Mildenhall at Monmore.
Before then, the lads will go through their paces at a practice session over at Leicester on Tuesday April 23 before heading to Netherton Conservative Club that night for the popular meet-the-riders night. Admission is £5 and proceeds go to the riders.
