The anticipated bumper attendance didn't happen at the opening day of the RACING: Tralee festival but instead a long-awaited statement from the board of directors did at least provide one hint of hope for those trying to save the beleaguered track.

Only 1,350 paid through the turnstiles despite an intensive campaign in the local area from those groups opposed to the sale of the 100 acre site. The corresponding figure last year was 1,597. That will have done nothing to weaken the resolve of a board of directors who have already voted, by five votes to four, to recommend the sale of the land to shareholders at an e.g.m. in two weeks.

No comment has been forthcoming from that board in recent weeks but director Des Grace yesterday broke the silence.

Describing Tralee as "an uneconomical business" with debts of a650,000, he also admitted that "if the festival crowds are not way above last year's it will be a huge knock back for everyone." Grace explained: "I personally don't want to sell but this is an uneconomical business. Income is not meeting expenditure.

"Costs are on a constantly upward spiral and as for people coming through the gates, stagnating would be a kind word. The track is a650,000 in debt and I can't see how it can trade its way out of that."

Significantly however Grace also said the alternative business plan being prepared by the Supporters Club would be looked at carefully by him and the other directors on the 12-member board.

"We will look at any plan as long as it is detailed, costed and presents a realistic option. It will have to be a business plan that hangs together. Our hearts are in racing but the option of selling small parcels of land is just a short term fix, an elastoplast," he said.

However, many came out in favour of racing continuing at the track. Dermot Weld who saddled a double yesterday said: "Tralee is an integral part of Irish racing and it is vital to the lifeblood of racing here. I hope this doesn't happen," he said. "Horses like Vintage Crop and Vintage Tipple have won here and Tralee can be made even better. Every effort should be made to save it."

It wasn't plain sailing on the track itself either with a number of horses slipping up on ground that was "firm" despite some rain earlier in the day.

"She wasn't letting herself down totally on it," reported Pat Smullen after Summer Sunset won the opener and Weld's double was completed by the possible Kerry National prospect Ballyconnell in the Beginners Chase.