Country Racing Victoria prepared for a big return

Racing clubs across Victoria are preparing to welcome punters back through the gates. Here’s how it will look.

Country racing with crowds is just weeks away from returning. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

The roar of the crowd cheering home their adopted horse is now just weeks away as patrons prepare to descend on country tracks across Victoria.

When the state reaches 80 per cent double-vaccinated, racing clubs will be allowed to welcome up to 5000 racegoers for their respective local cups and picnic meets.

Under the current legislation, each club is required to submit an application to the Victorian Government to have crowds.

The first events with crowds are expected to be held on November 6 and 7, after the Melbourne Cup.

It will include racing at Ararat, Balnarring, Benalla and Geelong.

Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said there was plenty of exciting events to look forward to.

“Country race clubs, local businesses and their communities have gone through some tough and interrupted times over the past 18 months and are looking forward to welcoming back crowds when they open back up,” he said.

“For a lot of these clubs, their local race meeting is the number one event on the social calendar, so it will be exciting when people will be able to get back together to catch up and enjoy the country races.

“Although a lot of our clubs have missed out on some of their biggest race days during the Spring Racing Carnival, it is exciting for some clubs to welcome back crowds at the back end of spring.

“The weather is starting to improve and we are finding that people are just itching to get back together to celebrate and make up for lost time.”

Benalla Racing Club general manager Cameron Symes said punters had already registered a strong interest on the return to racing on November 7 for Euroa Cup Day.

“We will be able to have up to 1000 people in attendance,” he said.

“It’s a hollow feeling when you’re at the track and no one is there and that’s why we’re so excited to welcome our members and the general public back.”

Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Belinda Glass.

Ballarat Cup Day, set to be held on November 20, looms as one of the biggest days in November with up to 5000 people expected to be in attendance.

The event would normally attract 10,000 for a day of racing.

The club has been preparing for a four square metre density limit, patrons will have to be double dosed, and patrons won’t be able to move between sections.

Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Belinda Glass said there had been plenty of excitement in the lead-up to the event.

“Racing Victoria has had strong measures in place to get on top of Covid for the past two years,” she said.

“Booking inquiries are really encouraging for the Ballarat cup, with around 1500 tickets sold

“We haven’t even organised a marketing campaign yet.

“This event will look a bit different, but people will be understanding given what we have gone through and walked towards over the past year.”