By Casey OÇonnor
Today’s Warwick Cup meeting came within a whisker of be cancelled due to recent rain. Only after a full morning of consultation and meetings and lengthy discussions between Queensland Racing Stewards, members of the Warwick Turf Club committee and the Regional Track manager and the local track manager was the decision to proceed with the meeting made.
“We looked at six or seven different scenarios relating to what we could do,” Warwick Turf club president Barry Burgess said after the meeting.
“ Should we call the meeting off and have a function with no races; should the meeting go ahead at this point but with no event; should the club look for an alternate date; what should happen if the course gets rain and after one event the jockeys declare the track unsafe.”
There were multiple scenarios, and each one raised as many questions and problems as they did answers according to the President.
At the end of the day the decision until the course and the meeting is handed to the control of the Stewards.
“It is a tough decision, and we are in some ways dammed if we do and dammed if we don’s race”, Burgess said.
In the end the committee chose to proceed. So, it is full steam ahead with the meeting.
He said the club relied on weather forecasting which, as we all know can be fraught with danger, but hope the prevailing weather pattern (on Tuesday) holds the rain band at bay.
Nominations for the Cup meeting closed as the discussions on Tuesday morning progressed.
In all the club has received 163 nominations for the big nine event program.
The Warwick Credit Union Cup has attracted 20 nominations.
Toowoomba Trainer Matt Kropp will be shooting for his fourth Warwick Cup on the trot when he saddles up last start winner Festival Prince who is sure to be well supported by punters.
Warwick trainer Les Clarke will saddle up Military Kings in the event. The-six-year old has shown a liking for his home track and does not mind getting his toe into the soft ground so is sure to eb there abouts.
The other main race of the card is the Frasers Livestock transport Newmarket.
There are 15 nominations for the $24,000 race.
Matt Kopp will also have a hand in this race with his five-year-old gelding Laurie who is coming off two recent wins and has been placed at Allman Park.
There are several last start winners in the race including the Greg Cornish trained Dream Entity. The Beaudesert based trainer is another visitor who has a knack of placing horses well in races in Warwick.
From a racing perspective, the meeting has been well supported by owners and trainers, and the President is hoping that excellent support extends to the Warwick public and visitors.
“We have upgraded several facilities to making the experience more enjoyable for the public,“ Burgess said.
Booking for the Pavilion are reported to be excellent; the judges are ready to choose the best of the Fashionista’s on course. There will be plenty of bookmakers for those who wish to bet as well as TAB facilities Route 33 are ready to entertain after the last race and don’t forget the big Warwick Sandstone Warwick Cup Calcutta evening on Friday night.
General Admission tickets can be pre purchased and can be checked in via the Express Lane www.warwickturfclub.org.au or can be purchase on the day ($22 per person.
Gates open at 10.30am.
