SUNNY ARMADALE

NEWS Saturday 5th July 2014, 2:41pm

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

As we know the sun always shines at Armadale and this photo, taken at eight o'clock on Friday evening, shows that the weather forecast was absolutely correct in suggesting that racing would have been taking place in sunshine last night.

Said Scotwaste Monarchs co-promoter, John Campbell, "When I arrived at the stadium yesterday afternoon just after 4.30pm I immediately spoke to Alan Bridgett who confirmed that the track was ready for evening racing despite some afternoon rain. We then had a very heavy shower at five o'clock but despite that the riders confirmed that they were ready to it a go."

"I agreed with referee Craig Ackroyd that everything was looking good but that we would have a final check at 6.25pm just before the admission gates opened. We had another sharp shower at six o'clock lasting not more than ten minutes and, in my mind, this simply returned the track to the condition it had been in at five o'clock when the riders said they would ride."

"As I approached the rendezvous point for our final track check I was surprised to see Craig approaching me and I was flabbergasted when he told me the match was off. Although I don't need to be consulted about cancellations once the referee is present in the stadium it would have seemed reasonable that the pre-arranged meeting would take place and that I would have some input into the likely later weather, especially as I had study the rainfall radar to get the most up to date forecast."

Campbell concluded, "After Alan Bridgett had finished his day's work, just at the back of eight o'clock, shielding our eyes from the sun we surveyed the track and we both agreed that with all the surface water now long gone, with additional track work having been done since the time of the call off, the track, after a race or two, would have produce3d some of the best racing seen for many a week."

The match will be re-arranged for later in the season and all who purchased tickets in advance can use their ticket at any match later in the season, although a supplement will be payable for the Scottish Open.