Cup meeting to go ahead

• Carly Jacobson preparing for the 2019 North-East Pacing Cup meeting. 

By Tony Scott,
September 08, 2021

The North-East Pacing Club Cup meeting will be held in January as usual after last year’s cup program was transferred to Mowbray due to Covid restrictions.

Club president Rodney Hill said the decision was taken to go ahead despite concern about the limitations that might still apply early next year.

“We’ve been working on a Covid safety plan and realise it will still all depend on an OK from Public Health.

“But at this stage we’re confident we can do it.

“We’ll probably have to have a crowd capped at 2000 and we’ll be pre-selling tickets because that helps with Covid tracking.”

Mr Hill said there were other factors to consider, like having an isolated area for drivers, a clearly identified wet area and a number of Covid marshalls were likely to be needed if restrictions haven’t eased by then.  

“We really going to try to attract people who are probably not regular race goers or punters  for that matter.

“So we’ll have a punters’ club where you can put $20 in and have your bets selected by a race caller, who might have a better idea of form.

“We’re going to highlight the social side of things too.

“We hope to have some food vans and the fashions on the field will be a popular event again, I’m sure.”

Mr Hill said planning for the evening of Friday January 7 was getting towards the home turn, but any extra volunteers to help the committee in some areas, either the racing itself or the social side, would be very welcome.