Denis Smith, Yea Race Club President

Yea Race Club is investigating whether a possible faulty water pipe contributed to the flooding of the Yea Racecourse, prior to the cancellation of last Saturday’s Yea Cup meeting.

Club President Denis Smith told Radio Sport National (RSN 927) that the race meeting was cancelled on Saturday at about 11.20am, after stewards and officials inspected the track, finding it too dangerous for the six-race fixture to proceed.

The announcement to cancel the meeting was made about 20 minutes before the first race was scheduled to be run, and patrons received free admittance to the course. Catering and marquee bookings continued, and bookmakers took wagers on meetings elsewhere.

Mr Smith told RSN that the Club spoke with jockeys and trainers prior to the decision to cancel the fixture. There were mixed opinions on whether to go ahead.

Mr Smith said the decision had to be made on safety grounds, and that the Club could not have a situation on its hands that a horse or rider go down because of the state of the track. Reports had 40mm of rain affecting the course in the previous 12 hours. Ironically, the day produced temperatures over 30°, and the Club had earlier advanced the schedule by an hour because of the expected heat.

Mr Smith it was too early to predict of the 2018 Yea Cup would be held at another meeting. There were two meetings scheduled to be held by the Club late in 2018. The Yea St Pat’s Race Club meeting is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 25.