Wilde not about to sell up

But the Hetton-born former kennel-hand who bought the stadium in 1994, when he also owned Tyneside track Brough Park, has confirmed there has been interest.

He said: "We won a big award in January when we were voted top Northern track and missed top overall track by one vote and that has sparked interest.

"We are doing exceptionally well and it is a very, very good business."

But Wilde added: "I am not planning to sell, unless someone came along with a big bag of money - the rumours are all a load of rubbish."

Sunderland, which races five days a week, has been developed from an old twice-a-week flapping track into a multi-million pound business and there are plans for a £250,000 redevelopment later this year. Attendances have gone up by 25 per cent over the past 12 months and up to 1,500 flock to the stadium on a Saturday night.

Last Saturday saw the final of the £2,000 Ladbrokes Webcasting Trophy won by Sheffield-based 5-2 chance Handy Money, which had half a length to spare over locally-trained Pond Imogen.

The competition was not without mishap, however, when the hare rope snapped in the third heat three nights previously as the dogs were going into the first bend.

Four of the trainers did not want to re-run their dogs, so the other two, Universal Boy and Deneside Fantasy went through to the final, where they finished fourth and fifth.

The much-fancied Stay for John, an 8-11 favourite, hit trouble at the first bend and could not make up the lost ground.

Catching the eye at Sunderland is puppy Razor Blade, trained at Crook by Alison Waggott. The June 2000 blue and white dog has won its last two races and is promoted to A2 grade.

* Brough Park is staging a sale of young Irish greyhounds on Sunday. The 50 dogs will trial at 11am and the auction starts at 1pm. Racing manager Terry Meynell said: "There is a good selection of greyhounds and there should be something to suit every pocket.