FORSTER-Tuncurry Jockey Club wishes to express its extreme disappointment regarding the postponement of the last four races at the Gold Cup meeting on Friday.
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The track had been rated a good four prior to race day and on inspection by stewards before the start of the meeting.
Following the running of race four, a deputation of jockeys, stewards and club officials examined a section of the track from around the 50-metre point until just after the winning post which had exhibited excessive penetration of the surface by runners, compared to the remainder of the racing surface.
Following this examination, the remainder of the meeting was unfortunately postponed.
The club understands the inconvenience such a postponement after the start of the meeting imposes on all stakeholders with interests in the meeting, in particular participants with runners already on course and those in transit.
We also have regard to the disappointment felt by sponsors who have been extremely important to the club for many years.
The club intends to conduct a full investigation into the reason for this inconsistency in the racing surface, starting with consultation with the Racing NSW track managers early this weekl week.
The investigation will include the possibility of an irrigation leak, natural spring effects and the effects that advertising hoardings covering that section
of the track may have on drying of that area of the racing surface.
It is also acknowledged that extremely heavy rainfall early this year resulted in a high-water table level well into winter. Sponsors can rest assured that if it is found that the hoardings are an issue requiring removal, they will be replaced for each and every race meeting to ensure maximum exposure at the nationally covered race meetings.
Stakeholders and participants can be confident that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that future meetings are not impacted by such an unforeseeable issue and that the track will be returned to first class racing condition for our huge December 6 Christmas race day.