Rockhampton Jockey Club chief executive Denis Cox said the Saint Patricks Day Races on Saturday, March 19 will be a powerful symbol for the entire community.
“We expect 2000 to 3000 to come out and celebrate a great day at the races,” said Mr Cox.
“Following the flood water subsiding in mid-January, Racing Queensland and the Rockhampton Jockey Club have undertaken a significant remediation program at the facility in an endeavour to have the facilities back up and running by March 19.
“While the course proper, which was submerged in floodwater for approximately two weeks, will need more time to recover than initially forecast, racing will take place on the sand track.”
Racing Queensland facilities and maintenance manager Warren Williams said major remediation works have been undertaken on the course proper to remove up to 100 millimetres of silt from the surface.

“This included the removal of the silt, turf sward and thatch to ensure the racing surface was returned to the same level as after the recent $6.5m upgrade,” said Mr Williams.

“Although a stringent maintenance regime was implemented to the course proper unfortunately, due to the extended period the track was submerged, the turf has not rejuvenated as per our initially expectations.

“The revised race date schedule announced in February was developed off a best case scenario to ensure stakeholders had access to the facilities as soon as practical. As the turf hasn’t recovered uniformly across the entire surface, it is imperative that racing is not recommenced too early as this could be detrimental to the longevity of the surface.

“Interestingly, other sporting venues inundated by floodwaters in the Rockhampton area are experiencing similar issues with slow turf recovery.”

The revised date for the resumption of racing on the course proper at Callaghan Park is now Thursday, April 7, 2011, featuring the $100,000 Magic Millions 2YO Plate.

Although disappointed that the course proper would be unavailable for racing until April 7, 2011, Rockhampton trainers representative Mr Neil Boyle praised the actions of the Rockhampton Jockey Club and Racing Queensland in listening to the concerns of local trainers and adjusting the two-year-old schedule.

“I appreciate that the Club needs to get back to racing as soon as possible, which has necessitated the conduct of a meeting on sand track,” said Mr Boyle. “Our association is grateful to be given the opportunity to provide feedback and now that an additional two-year-old race has been added to the program this will provide trainers of maiden two-year-olds an opportunity to qualify for the upcoming feature races.

“We all recognise that Racing Queensland is doing everything within its power to resume racing in Rockhampton as soon as practical and to ensure that the resumption of racing is implemented in a manner that has no long term effects on the course proper. In this regard the goals of Racing Queensland, the Rockhampton Jockey Club and the Rockhampton trainers are completely aligned.

“Our association has a strong relationship with the control body and the club and we look forward to continuing to provide a voice for local trainers on strategic issues.”

Following is a full list of alterations to the previously advised Rockhampton racing schedule leading up to April 7, 2011, which will see the transfer of one meeting to Mackay and another to Yeppoon. Racing Queensland will continue to provide a $150 float rebate to the trainers of any Rockhampton horses travelling to Mackay TAB meetings until racing resumes on the grass track at Callaghan Park. 

Saturday, March 19, 2011 – Rockhampton (non-TAB) – Callaghan Park Sand Track

Class 6 Plate 1150m $10,000

Class 5 Hcp 900m $10,000

Class 3 Hcp 1150m $10,000

Class 1 Hcp 1000m $10,000

Maiden Hcp 1000m $10,000

QTIS 2YO Maiden Hcp 1000m $10,000 + $10,000 QTIS + $10,000 QTIS 600

Thursday, March 24, 2011 – Mackay (TAB)

Open Hcp 1050m $10,000

Class 4 Hcp 1800m $12,000

Class 2 Hcp 1250m $10,000

Maiden Hcp 1500m $10,000

Maiden Hcp 1250m $10,000

3YO Hcp 1050m $12,000

QTIS 2YO Hcp 1250m $25,000 + $10,000 QTIS + $10,000 QTIS 600

QTIS 2YO Maiden Hcp 1050m $10,000 + $10,000 QTIS + $10,000 QTIS 600

Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Yeppoon (non-TAB)

Open Hcp 1400m $7,500

Class 6 Hcp 1200m $7,500

Class 3 Hcp 1100m $7,500

Class 1 Plate (3YO & up) 1200m $7,500

Maiden Hcp 1100m $7,500

2YO Maiden Hcp 1000m $7,500 + Brisbane Bloodstock Bonus