Written by Paul Vettise
The Sydney autumn carnival has been set back a week following Saturday’s postponement of Golden Slipper Day due to the heavily rain-affected nature of the Rosehill track.
Racing New South Wales and the Australian Turf Club have confirmed all meetings forming the carnival will be run seven days later than originally scheduled.
The revised dates for the carnival are: Longines Golden Slipper Day, Rosehill – Saturday, March 27; Stakes Day, Rosehill – Saturday, April 3; The Star Championships Day 1, Randwick – Saturday, April 10, The Championships Day 2 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day, Randwick – Saturday, April 17 and Schweppes All Aged Stakes Day, Randwick – Saturday, April 24.
The final field, including the barriers for the G1 Longines Golden Slipper S. will be carried forward to next Saturday. Nominations for all other races on Slipper Day have been reopened and acceptances will be taken at 9am on Wednesday and race programs for remaining race meetings will be unchanged.
“The postponement of the Golden Slipper meeting is unfortunate, but in the circumstances both the ATC and Racing NSW feel that resetting the carnival one week later is the best overall option for participants and the flow of the carnival,” Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys, said.
“The postponement of the Golden Slipper meeting is unfortunate, but in the circumstances both the ATC and Racing NSW feel that resetting the carnival one week later is the best overall option for participants and the flow of the carnival.” - Peter V’landys
Racing NSW stewards and ATC officials conducted a track inspection at Rosehill on Saturday morning and quickly made the decision to postpone following 117mm of rain during the week and a further 23mm of overnight rain.
Chief Steward Marc Van Gestel said there was surface water on some sections of the Rosehill course proper and with the forecast of more rain to come, there was no alternative.
“The track was in great condition, but the rain meant it had started to squelch in a couple of places and the forecast as we know is not good.
“With all the rain the track was full and there is nowhere for the water to go, so unfortunately we have to postpone.”
On Friday, Van Gestel had hoped the Slipper meeting would proceed, but no let-up in the weather and a grim forecast for Saturday forced their hand.
It is the second time the Slipper has had to be postponed, the other occasion in 1963 when Pago Pago (Matrice) won the race when it was contested the following Wednesday.
The Casino and Gold Coast meetings were also both abandoned on Saturday morning due to heavy rain and the condition of the tracks.
