RACECARDS on sale at every fixture at Newcastle and Sedgefield racecourses in 2004 will be in colour.

The investment, which runs into tens of thousands of pounds, means that Northern Racing - the owner of both venues - is the first racecourse grouping in Britain to offer horse racing fans such a service.

A standard price of £2 per racecard will apply at all fixtures except feature race meetings.

Rod Street, group managing director of Northern Racing, said: "This decision reflects the fact that horse racing is a sophisticated 21st century leisure business driven by customer demand. We really listen to what our customers tell us.

"Racegoers now expect to be able to see the colours of the jockeys' silks in a handy-sized quality racecard.

"This move makes us the market leader among racecourse groups, but I don't imagine it will be long until the others catch up. It must soon be the industry norm.

"The standard price of £2 is a fair and sensible one we believe, and while this investment is going to cost us a lot of money initially, we expect it to result in increasing sales of racecards and higher betting turnover. Colour also enhances advertisements from sponsors."

* Wetherby's new Saturday meeting tomorrow is "Hot Soup Saturday", when soup will be served throughout the afternoon and the first 250 racegoers through the turnstiles will receive a complimentary cup of soup.

The gates open at 10.30 and the most valuable race of the day is The 'Cream Of Mushroom' Handicap Hurdle - a contest over the extended two and a half miles, with prize money of £18,000.

Also featured on the seven-race programme is The Tote Exacta Chase - a handicap contest over the extended three miles and one furlong - and The Rocom Handicap Chase over the extended two and a half miles.

There is also a qualifying race in The European Breeders Fund Novices' Hurdle series - a national series which culminates in a final at Sandown Park in March - while new sponsors S&B Building Equipment Ltd support The sbfencing.com Novices' Chase over three miles and one furlong.

The opening race at 12.35 is a handicap hurdle contest for conditional jockeys in the 'Hands and Heels' series over jumps.