THE "People's Racehorse", Evening Press, is all set to run again having been lined up for two races later this month, writes Peter Martini.

Press - leased by readers of the award-winning newspaper off Norton trainer Tim Etherington - has not yet raced this Flat turf season as she awaits suitably fast ground but it seems the time is now fast approaching.

Etherington now has two dates in sight, the first being Monday, May 20 at Musselburgh, an evening meeting, and the second being Thursday, May 23 at Newcastle. Both are mile-long handicaps for three-year-olds.

Evening Press ran three times towards the end of last season having been broken in late because of her comparatively young age. She was not placed in any of the three but Etherington has always said she - like the rest of her family - would need time to develop. He also said she needed faster ground than the muddy courses she raced on last year.

He added: "If she continues to please in training, she is likely to make her reappearance in one of those two races. We know she needs fast ground which could be a deciding factor in where she runs, although if conditions don't suit she won't run at either."

Meanwhile, a date has been arranged for shareholders in Evening Press to see her in action during a training session on the Malton gallops near her Wold House Stables home. That will take place on Saturday, May 11.

Full details and times will be confirmed nearer the date, though the stable visit is likely to be held in the morning to give race-goers the chance to then go on to a meeting, the nearest being at Beverley in the afternoon and Thirsk in the evening.

Updated: 16:33 Friday, May 03, 2002