Express & Star

Wolverhampton Wolves owner praying for rain

Wolves owner has Chris Van Straaten is praying for rain as he admitted track conditions have been below the normal Monmore standard in recent weeks.

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And he says the hot spell hasn’t helped – even though the wet stuff wrecked the start to the season.

“I can’t really believe I’m saying this,” said the Parrys International Wolves promoter. “But I’ve got the prayer mat out every time I see a weather forecast and look for rain.

“We cannot get enough moisture in the track right now and there appears to be no change in the weather anytime soon. It’s a tough job for our track staff on a Monday because even when they put lots of water on it just bakes away quickly.

“It’s all very ironic because the weather was shocking at the start of the season and it seemed to take weeks for our season to finally get started. I remember thinking it was the worst start to a season I’ve ever had.

“But now it’s gone the other way and we need to get some rain and moisture into the track – but this coming Monday against Belle Vue I suspect the staff will be battling all day in sizzling temperatures again. We are doing all we can to stay on top of track preparation but I do admit we are not at our best right now.”

Wolverhampton have two big meetings in three days next week – both against Belle Vue. The sides meet at Monmore on Monday before the return in Manchester 48-hours later.

“I found it very ironic when I put the TV on last week and saw pictures of pouring rain at Belle Vue which forced them to postpone against Somerset,” said Van Straaten.

“We could do with a bit of that right now – but not at 7.30 on Monday I must add!”