French racing hit by strikes Longchamp`s first meeting of the year this afternoon fell victim to strike action over pay, and Saturday`s card at Saint-Cloud featuring the Group Three Prix Edmond Blanc has suffered the same fate.Sunday`s Longchamp fixture, which includes the Group Two Prix d`Harcourt, is also in doubt after talks between unions and France Galop broke down at lunchtime.Employees at France`s racecourses and training centres have turned down a two per cent pay increase, arguing that that is not sufficient given France Galop had enough money to raise prize money this season by seven per cent.'We`ve been having talks regularly now for two weeks, the tension is rising,' said one employee, who claimed his colleagues would be satisfied with a three and a half per cent increase.Saturday`s tierce handicap intended for Saint-Cloud has been switched to a trotting meeting in the provinces, and possibly moves will be made to run the Edmond Blanc, in which English trainer Paul Cole was planning torun Cornelius, at a later date.A spokeswoman for France Galop, confirming Saint-Cloud`s abandonment, said a decision regarding Sunday`s fixture at Longchamp would be taken tomorrow.Last year a racecourse invasion by disgruntled Pari Mutuel staff caused the postponement of the Group One Grand Prix de Paris, which was run two days later in front of empty stands.
