Racing returns to Central Australia on Sunday with the Alice Springs Turf Club hosting one of its biggest meetings of the year outside Cup Carnival.
It’s Truckies Day at Pioneer Park, with the $40,000 Red Centre Winter Series Final (1200m) and the $25,000 Cummins Cup (1100m) featuring on the six-event program.
It is shaping as a great way to kick off the 2024/25 season after what can only be described as a disastrous end to the 2023/24 campaign.
The final meeting on July 28 was abandoned when the dirt surface failed to recover following remedial work that occurred a day after the meeting on July 14.
It was an unfortunate situation because although the jockeys’ premiership had been decided, the trainers’ premiership was still up for grabs.
Paul Denton (24 wins) ended up becoming the leading rider from Sonja Logan (19.5), while Terry Gillett (25) was the leading trainer from Paul Gardner (23).
The August 10 meeting didn’t go ahead, which not only meant that horses wouldn’t race for six weeks, but horses would also fail to pick up points in the final two heats of the Red Centre Winter Series.
A decision was made to call off the July 28 meeting when stones covered a major portion of the track following the grading process.
There was also a lack of oil on the track with some sections showing no oil where the new sand had been laid, particularly from the 600m and continuing past the winning post.
The lack of oil meant there was no cushion in the track for a horse at full speed, making it unsafe for racing.
ASTC general manager Tony McGovern is relieved that racing will resume at Pioneer Park on Sunday, with 49 horses accepting after the Darwin Cup Carnival and last Saturday’s Katherine Cup meeting.
“There were some horses here obviously that weren’t in Darwin during Cup Carnival,” McGovern said.
“They’ve been out on the track now for a good three weeks, but there’s no 1400m or 1600m races this week.
“There was a trial earlier in the week and that was all good, I’m just looking forward to the resumption of racing in the Red Centre.”
For logistical reasons, Truckies Day, traditionally held on a Friday, was scheduled for Sunday with Victorian jockeys Matthew Chadwick and Hannah Le Blanc, Queensland rider Isabella Teh and SA hoop Georgie Catania bound for Alice Springs.
“The Road Transport Hall of Fame have their annual get together here on Saturday,” McGovern added.
“I understand that about 150 people will be coming to the races on Sunday, so it should be a good crowd.
“I’m just looking forward to getting through the day, but the weather is going to be hot with 35C predicted.
“We’ve basically gone from winter to summer in about two and a half days this week.”
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