Like so many other ‘once-a-year’ race clubs, Cootamundra Turf Club just can’t catch a break, with their October long weekend meeting, which was initially scheduled for October 3, abandoned due to wet weather.
This followed the club racing in 2020 with only essential personnel, which came just after the first major
Covid-19 outbreak.
Now the club will host their Cootamundra Cup meeting on Friday, and for what is looking like a superb eight-race program, the club is bracing for a smaller than expected crowd.
Despite this, the small but hardworking committee is powering on and are focused on delivering a good meeting for punters, patrons and participants, while abiding by Racing NSW Covid-19 protocol.
“We would just love to host a good meeting, and for as many people to come out and support us so we can then focus on next year,” said Cootamundra Turf Club President, Anna Mullins.
The club’s long weekend meeting usually attracts over 1000 racegoers, and with their meeting now slated for a weekday, the club is hoping good TAB turnover will make up for a much smaller crowd.
“We were so disappointed we had to abandon the long weekend meeting, but we just couldn’t race as it was so wet,” Mullins said.
“I just hope we have really decent TAB turnover, and that the racing is good.”
174 gallopers have been nominated for the meeting, and Mullins explained that there would be a bar and food available for attendees.
“There are no fashions on the field, no entertainment; unfortunately, we just didn’t know what restrictions we would have, so we had to be really careful,” Mullins said.
“We have the bar; we have a food van, and hopefully we get a few people down there for the day.”
Either way, Cootamundra Turf Club are keeping positive, with Mullins explaining that next year’s Coota Cup meeting would be bigger and better than ever.
“We just weren’t lucky enough this year but next year will be massive,” Mullins said.
The $29,000 Cootamundra Cup headlines the card, with 16 of the best country nags from the Southern Districts, South East and Central West all potentially vying for glory in the 1600m Open Handicap.
For punters and racing fans wanting to attend the Cootamundra Club, readers are encouraged to visit the Club’s Facebook page for more information.
By Jeff Hanson