More to come from Salisbury

The £22,500 Cathedral Stakes for three-year-olds upwards will be run over six furlongs at their second Sunday meeting of the campaign on June 16.

Clerk of the course Jeremy Martin said: "The British Horseracing Board thought there was a gap in their programme for a Listed race.

"We are always looking for chances to offer higher quality and, when they approached us, we were delighted to accept."

The new sprint is the third most valuable event at the Wiltshire track next summer behind their two other Listed races, the European Breeders' Fund Upavon Fillies' Stakes (£26,000) and the Sovereign Stakes (£23,000).

The Cathedral Stakes will be held on the weekend before Royal Ascot and Salisbury hope that not only will it attract talented sprinters but that a sponsor can be found for the inaugural running.

Martin had every reason to be pleased with his first season at the helm after moving to Salisbury from Brighton last winter, especially as attendances increased by 18 per cent with 52,000 going through the turnstiles.

He said: "I've learnt a lot about the course. It's a very important part of my job to keep the track in shape and you need a season to find out vital things, like which parts of the course drain the best and on which parts does the grass grow quicker.

"Apart from one time, when we watered and then it rained, it has been an excellent experience and I just love the course and the people who come here."

There will be no major changes at the course this winter, though Martin is formulating plans for the future - but some £35,000 will be spent on cosmetic improvements in time for the 2002 season, which opens on Sunday, May 5.

2001 Fixtures: Sunday, May 5; Thursday, May 16; Tuesday, June 11; Sunday, June 16; Wednesday, June 26; Thursday, June 27; Friday, July 5 (evening); Saturday, July 13; Friday, July 26 (evening); Wednesday, August 14; Thursday, August 15; Thursday, August 29; Thursday, September 5; Tuesday, September 17; Wednesday, October 2.