Royal Randwick open to spectators today as first step to 40,000 fans attending The Everest on October 17
RACEGOERS will be back on track at Royal Randwick today in the first step towards having 40,000 fans at The Everest in October.
NSW
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RACEGOERS will be back on track at Royal Randwick today in the first step towards having 40,000 fans at The Everest in October.
Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley said: “That’s our goal – 40,000 people at The Everest on October 17.”
Thoroughbred racing is the only sport to have kept running through the coronavirus lockdown with state-of-the-art thermal imaging and strict isolation procedures for jockeys on course.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to keep everyone employed through the crisis,” Mr Barkley said.
The racing industry employs more than 70,000 people and pumps more than $9 billion into the Australian economy.
Careful planning has now been put in place to get fans back to racecourses in NSW. “We are a month ahead of where we thought we would be at this stage,” Mr Barkley said.
Today Royal Randwick opens its doors for fans to attend the Winter Dash Raceday providing they have pre-booked a table in one of the segregated dining areas.
“We are delighted that we can get spectators back to the track,” Mr Barkley said. “We have installed thermal imaging cameras that will check every single person as they arrive.”
Regular racegoer Kash O’Hara will be dining trackside with friend Neil Carpenter in the Grandview restaurant. She said it would be nice to change out of athleisure wear. “I’ve really missed the live racing action and opportunity to get dressed up in racewear,” she said.
After months in lockdown, Mr Carpenter said he could not wait to get out. “I love nothing more than putting on a suit, donning a hat, and catching up with friends for a champagne at the races. It’s great to be back.”
Originally published as Royal Randwick open to spectators today as first step to 40,000 fans attending The Everest on October 17
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