NSW GBOTA Addresses Dearth Of City Distance Racing
The GBOTA is considering various programming initiatives to encourage nominations and initially has decided to promote a grade 4/5 stayers' series at Wentworth Park on a monthly basis where practicable, with heats on Monday and a final the following Saturday.
The GBOTA will attempt to avoid clashes with major feature races.
The first in the series will be as follows:
-
Wentworth Park 720 metres grade 4/5
- Heats Monday July 27
- Final Saturday August 1
Nominations close as usual Tuesday prior at 1 pm
Other dates for this series:
- August 31 and September 5
- October 12 and October 17
- November 30 and December 5
- December 28 and January 2
In addition, a FFA over 720 metres will be programmed every Saturday night (Group race heats excepted) and the GBOTA will guarantee to conduct the race if there are 7 nominations or more. (This will also apply to 520 metres FFA events).
Owners' and trainers' support towards increasing nomination flows would be greatly appreciated and the GBOTA would be pleased to receive feedback from industry participants in relation to the programming of distance racing at Wentworth Park. Please call Jeff Browne or Chris Mckay at the GBOTA on 9649 7166.
Trainers are also reminded that four NSW heats of the AGRA Schweppes National Distance Championships over 720m have been programmed at Wentworth Park on August 15, 2009 with the NSW final at the track the following week. The winner will represent the State in the $50,000 (Group 1) National Final at Cannington over 715 metres on September 5.
Special eligibility conditions apply and a special nomination form must be completed. Forms will be available from July 1 – call Chris McKay at the GBOTA on (02) 8737 5902 for full details of the series conditions and to obtain a nomination form.
The special closing time (applying nationwide for all State heats) is 12 noon Friday July 31, 2009.