Turf Club considers Roma Cup 2020, as racing restrictions ease

THE Roma Turf Club is considering the fate of its biggest race day, while Racing Queensland continues to change coronavirus safety rules.

The fate of this year’s Roma Cup will be determined by COVID-19 restrictions, with the Roma Turf Club confirming it will follow the lead of metropolitan meets for their event.

UNCERTAINTY of future meetings has cast a dark cloud over the country racing calendar, and at the heart of southwest racing, the Roma Turf Club is weighing up its options for the biggest day of all: the Roma Cup.

Already this year the popular Picnic Races and Rugby Races have been called off, while a makeshift schedule of TAB meetings are being run at a select few tracks, putting the future of major race days in question.

Roma Turf Club president Brett Ashney told the Western Star that cancellation of meetings across the region was a blow, but with November so far away, they don’t want to make a final call on Cup Day yet.

“We have all come to terms with the restrictions, and it is just the way of the world at the moment,” he said.

“We are listening to Racing Queensland, who are working with the government to see how it will be safe for us to proceed.

“I think November, with the level of lockdown we are in at the moment, seems like a long time away, but if the metropolitan clubs can start having people attend similar events, that will really give us an idea of what can happen for us.”

While the committee members keep their ears to the ground for any updates on the situation, Ashney remains positive about potential changes.

While large gatherings are likely to be among the last activities to be allowed, he said a best-case scenario could end with a bumper year.

“Returning to normal is definitely on our radar, and we would love to be able to run the Roma Cup this year with a crowd,” Ashney said.

“If it can happen, there’s every chance it could be a real success; a ‘return to normal’ feeling might even draw a bigger crowd.”

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