GUNBOWER Racing Club officials will meet with Racing Victoria next week to discuss the rescheduling of this year’s Gunbower Cup meet.
The racing club decided on Monday morning not to proceed with today’s meet with predicted rainfall to deteriorate an already soaked track.
Above-average rainfall throughout September had helped with efforts to get the Gunbower Racecourse ready for the meet, but the track was already rated as a heavy eight last Friday.
“With the forecasted rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, we decided to pull the pin as the track was already wet,” racing club president, Gary Spittal said.
“When we were looking at the long-range forecast we, as a committee, said we would be lucky to hold the race.”
Usually held on the first Saturday of the month, the racing club and Country Racing Victoria approved for the meet to occur on the AFL Grand Final Eve Public Holiday.
It was hoped the change of date would have enticed a large crowd to watch the event – highlighted by the 1800-metre Procal Dairies Gunbower Gold Cup – and avoid a clash with the AFL Grand Final for a second year.
“Hopefully Racing Victoria can find another date for the meet between now and Christmas,” Spittal said.
It is the first time since 2012 the meet will not proceed, with the 2011 meet also rescheduled due to poor weather.
Refunds for ticket and marquee sales will be available.
