Racecourse keeps a tab on time until start of classic race

RACECOURSE staff who are under starter’s orders for one of South Yorkshire’s biggest sporting events have unveiled an Olympics-style countdown clock that is ticking off the time until the turnstiles open.

The St Leger festival at Doncaster sold out in advance for the first time last year, and it is hoped that the 2011 event will break further records when it opens on Wednesday, September 7.

One of the clocks has been installed on the side of the St Leger Stand at Town Moor where it can be seen by thousands of drivers every day, while another is visible on a special St Leger website.

Racecourse managing director Mark Spincer said: “There is great anticipation and excitement at the racecourse as our preparations continue apace.

“We have been planning for the festival for many months already and in the weeks ahead we will put the finishing touches to our plans to ensure 60,000 people are catered for in style and comfort.”

The St Leger is one of the country’s classic races. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies and is run over a distance of a mile.

The race dates from 1776 and is the last of the five “classics” to be run each year.

Its origins are attributed to Anthony St Leger, an Army officer and politician who lived near Doncaster .