Deluge puts paid to Clifford Park racing

Officials consider Toowoomba race meeting transfer to midweek timeslot.

The rain tumbles down at Clifford Park late this afternoon. Picture: Nev Madsen.

RACING: Officials will endeavour to transfer tonight’s washed-out Clifford Park race program to a midweek timeslot.

Racing was abandoned this evening after a torrential late-afternoon onslaught dumped about 65mm of rain on the course.

Stewards delayed the 4.46 meeting start indefinitely and eventually called racing off after conducting a track inspection in driving rain around 5.15.

Racing Queensland will now consider resurrecting the postponed meeting during the week – possibly on Wednesday.

Chief steward Rion Hitchener said the track – which was rated a heavy eight before the 4.30 cloudburst – stood up well under the deluge but several factors led to the cancellation call.

“The track was really good, but it was starting to show signs of surface water gathering,” Hitchener said.

“If the rain had stopped it would probably have been raceable in another half-hour or so.

“The major concern was the amount of water building up on the crossing (1500m) and visibility was another factor we took into consideration.

“The rain is showing no signs of easing off and a few flashes of lighting have started to appear so the meeting is postponed with the possibility of it being run midweek.”