THE countdown is on – and Gosford can’t wait!
Nine months after the last meeting was held at The Entertainment Grounds, a “new” Gosford will begin racing again on Saturday, February 22.
It’s all systems go for the club to resume racing following a major infrastructure project, jointly funded by Gosford Race Club and RacingNSW, which involved the home turn being re-cambered to a gradient of 6 per cent to maximise competitive racing, along with remediation of the old reverse camber in the home straight and removal of track undulations.
“The track is in fantastic order, and we’re definitely ready to race on February 22,” chief executive Daniel Lacey said today.
“Whilst that work has been carried out, we have been busy doing other work as well.
“We have replaced 1km of rail on the course proper, re-asphalted the day stall area, installed a new marquee and also changed the parade ring area to allow our trainers better access to the track on gallop mornings.
“And we have just completed some additional drainage work.
“We’re all really looking forward to getting back to racing again.”
Lacey says there has been tremendous interest in Gosford’s return on February 22.
“All of the hospitality areas have been sold out, except the front lawn, and we’re expecting that area to sell out late.”
Heavy rain forced Gosford’s major Saturday stand-alone meeting, featuring the $500,000 The Coast (1600m), to be transferred to Newcastle on May 11, and the club’s last meeting was a nine-race midweek program five days later.
RacingNSW chief steward Steve Railton oversaw a number of gallops on the course proper last month, and the club is planning a similar final dress rehearsal, probably on Friday week.
“We were going to have the gallops next Tuesday, but there is a barrier trial session scheduled for Newcastle’s Beaumont track,” Lacey said.
“The Friday date with a Canterbury night meeting scheduled looks the right time for the morning gallops, and hopefully we will have a number of leading Sydney jockeys riding work to get a feel of the track.”
Whilst The Entertainment Grounds hasn’t raced for nine months, the club certainly hasn’t been idle.
“We had a huge concert here recently featuring The Hoodoo Gurus, and 3000 people attended,” Lacey said.
“Our Racing Minister David Harris was in attendance, and met the Gurus.
“We have another concert coming up on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, March 22 when there will be 10 different acts.
“That is shaping as our biggest ever non-raceday event.”
Gosford also will stage its annual 1200m Qualifier of the Provincial-Midway Championships series on Saturday, March 15.
Story John Curtis, February 4, 2025
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