Racing Wodonga has been forced to abandon its highly popular race day which coincides with the Caulfield.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Racing Victoria officials informed the club this week that several non-TAB meetings had been scrapped from the calendar due to COVID.
The changes followed the release of the Victorian government's road map which provided clarity on the required vaccination milestones before punters can return to the track.
Racing Wodonga general manager Steve Wright said it was disappointing to lose the club's second most popular meeting for the second year.
"It wasn't totally unexpected being a non-TAB meeting," Wright said.
"It's a shame but what can you do?
"The same thing happened last year.
"Traditionally it's the club's second biggest meeting of the year and regularly attracts crowds of 3000.
"We are a chance to get a replacement meeting at some stage but it's not guaranteed."
ALSO IN SPORT
The club is now sweating on crowds being back on course before its cup meeting on November 26 which is also a public holiday in Wodonga.
Last year the cup went ahead without crowds after the previous year drew a record crowd of 10,000.
Wright said it would be a nervous wait over the next month as to whether crowds would be welcomed back.
"We are working with the government to find out exactly what we can and can't do" he said.
"We are hopeful we will be allowed a crowd of 5000 on cup day.
"We were approved for 7500 a while back but with the new road map that doesn't look likely and 5000 is probably more realistic.
"I think 5000 will sell out pretty quickly."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.bordermail.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News.