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Cluden Park on track for Winter Carnival

15 June 2019

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The return to racing at Cluden Park continues to be closely monitored following February’s floods.

Last week, the Townsville Turf Club’s Winter Carnival began in ideal fashion with the running of the $100,000 Great Northern QTIS 2YO Classic under perfect conditions.

However, with a juvenile plant on the course proper and five meetings programmed between now and the $150,000 TAB Townsville Cup on July 27, the decision to manage Cluden Park’s workload has been made to ensure optimum racing.

TTC and Racing Queensland will implement a management plan at Cluden Park ahead of the Club’s marquee Winter Carnival meetings.
 
With the course proper still recovering from February’s floods, the running rail will be placed seven-to-eight meters out over the next month including the next two race meetings.
 
“The track itself raced well at the weekend,” RQ Tracks and Facilities Manager Greg Puckeridge said.
 
“But we’re conscious of not overworking it as it bounces back from February’s floods.
 
“Our racecourses, including Townsville, are critical pieces of industry infrastructure and it’s important that we don’t overwork them particularly when they are returning from a once-in-a-lifetime weather event like the floods.
 
“By moving the rail out for the next two meetings, we  be able to protect the racing surface to ensure a true position for the Townsville Cup.”
 
TTC President Malcolm Petrofski thanked RQ for their ongoing support with the track renovation process following the floods.
 
“The Townsville Turf Club team have been working closely with the RQ track team since the flooding event and are supportive of the move,” Mr Petrofski said.