NSW return to racing
Date: 22/10/2007 -
Issued by NSW Racing
Since 25 August 2007, New South Wales thoroughbred racing has experienced the most horrendous period since its inception in 1810.
Other than wars and the Depression, the only other time racing stopped was in 1814 when Governor Macquarie put a halt to the very popular thoroughbred meetings as workers were unfit to work for many days afterwards due to excessive celebrations.
However, the racing fraternity has been a resilient lot and will overcome the Equine Influenza crisis; like every other setback it has encountered in its 197 year history.
Accordingly, Racing NSW is today delighted to announce its road map to recovery.
Racing with public access will recommence this Saturday, 27 October 2007 at Kembla Grange. Then for each Saturday in November there will be special events at Gosford, Coffs Harbour, Wyong and Kembla Grange.
This provides the clubs in these areas with an unprecedented opportunity to promote racing on the premium day of the week in conjunction with the Spring Carnival in Victoria.
This will then culminate with the recommencement of racing in the Metropolitan area at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 1 December 2007. Rosehill Gardens will then be the venue for the following two Saturdays of 8 and 15 December.
As from today, horses which were in pre-training or spelling will be allowed to return to Randwick. These horses were either vaccinated twice or have given an appropriate blood test to ensure they have sufficient immunity to Equine Influenza.
It is also expected that Rosehill Gardens will be decontaminated next week and Warwick Farm on 1 November.
It is presently envisaged that from 1 January 2008, NSW racing will resume in total with the normal racing calendar.
Racing NSW expresses its sincere appreciation for the wonderful level of support from the public, media, industry and Government.
