Doncaster defend decision to race

Doncaster clerk of the course John Sanderson today defended the decision to let racing go ahead at the Town Moor course despite the terrorist outrage in the USA.

The first day of the St Leger meeting was set to take place as planned even though UEFA cancelled Champions League and UEFA Cup football matches and several American golfers questioned whether the Ryder Cup should be postponed.

Flags at Town Moor flew at half mast and a period of silence was to be held before racing, as a mark of respect for those killed in Tuesday`s incidents.

And Sanderson said: 'It`s not up to us to call off this race meeting. That would have to be a decision for the British Horseracing Board and they have said nothing.

'We are shocked by events in America and have enormous sympathy for the victims but terrorists cannot be allowed to bring everything to a halt.'

Sanderson hopes the airline problems resultant from the American hijacks will not reduce Irish attendance at the four-day meeting.

'I`ve taken one phone call from a group of people who were due to fly in from Ireland today,' he said.

'They cannot make it here and apparently the situation at the airports is pretty grim.

'But to the best of my knowledge all the Irish horses due to run at the meeting are already here.'