It was Aberdeen Cup Day at Muswellbrook Race Club today; one might have wondered if the races could go ahead after 30 mls fell on the track overnight but whilst rated a Heavy 10 the track held up beautifully and we even saw a class record lowered in one of the races (go figure!).
The track remains closed to the public, there are 2 security check points, the male jockeys have taken over the Silks Function Centre as their new ‘change room’ to ensure the social distancing rules are upheld (so yes you do have the occasional giggle as a jockey clad only in his undies dashes up the stairs), clerks of the course and all attendants are masked and cleaners wipe down every hand railing/door knob/desk/available surface; they are our new norm. At least now we can have two photographers back on course. For a period NSW Racing stipulated that country and provincial meetings could only engage one.
I hope that owners, directors, and race fans can also be welcomed back before too long.