Racing returns to Thoroughbred Park for the first time since the hugely successful inaugural Canberra Cup Carnival in early March. Weather is gloomy but the fields boast healthy numbers in what appears a competitive day of Friday racing.
Race 1 @ 2:10pm XXXX Gold Plate (1300m)
*RACE 1 @ 2.10pm XXXX GOLD PLATE (1300m) - Maiden, Set Weights & apprentices can claim):
We start with a fairly even-rated Maiden at set weights. Consistent 3YO Hawkesbury gelding 4. UPRISE (Brad Widdup/Chad Lever 58.5kg) looks ready to break through. Has been placed in four of his last five, and can be ridden a little quieter here getting back on to the bigger track.
It will be far from a regular race day this Friday at Thoroughbred Park. The global COVID-19 pandemic means that racing around the country will be held behind closed doors for the foreseeable future. It is not all doom and gloom though, with a fantastic card being assembled for Canberra’s first meeting since an immensely successful Canberra Carnival in early March.
It is with a heavy heart that we now provide vital updates to all members in light of the current crisis affecting Australia. The Canberra Racing Club has been advised that racing is excluded from the Stage 1 Social Distancing announcements made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last evening. Thoroughbred race meetings at Thoroughbred Park will continue to proceed under strict biosecurity risk management protocols in accordance with Government and health authority advice.
The Canberra Racing Club is relying on expert advice from reliable sources, and will respond calmly and thoughtfully as a Club to minimise health impacts and maximise the capacity of our health services to support those most in need. All decisions will be made with the best interests of the Community, the Racing Industry and our Staff first and foremost in our mind.
Access to Thoroughbred race meetings, barrier trials and trackwork (including access to licensed training stables) at Thoroughbred Park will not be open to the public (including owners), effective immediately and until further notice.
The Canberra Racing Club in accordance with recent advise from government and in the interest of public health has made the decision to cancel this weekend's Aussie Nightmarkets.
The Club is dedicated to the best interests of the community and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
The Canberra Racing Club would be delighted with the success of its first two-day Black Opal carnival program. High quality gallopers from leading Sydney yards were drawn to the four feature races, with the cream rising to the top.
The weather gods were kind both days and the track played right up to the occasion. Attendances, especially on Black Opal day, were excellent. The Canberra hospitality industry lauded the much needed boost for local business and the economy generally.
The two distinct days of the Canberra Carnival delivered a rich race day experience for over 10,000 attendees. The move to a two-day Carnival was spurred by a desire to enhance the Canberra Day long weekend, boosting tourism and keeping Canberrans local. An IER report indicated that the move to two-days would increase the economic impact of the weekend from $425,591 to more than double that, $861,667. A significant boost to the Canberra community.
TAB Canberra Cup Day
Monday, Mar 9, 2020
Gates Open from 11.30am
Track likely Soft 6 and Rail remaining at +3m so should be a genuine trend towards the middle as meeting goes on
*RACE 1 @ 1.25pm CANBERRA REX HOTEL HCP (1600m) - BM 65; Min Weight 54.5kg & apprentices can claim:
