Ballina Cup postponed
Ballina Mayor, Cr Phillip Silver, today announced that following advice from the Ballina Jockey Club, this year’s Ballina Cup would be postponed from the scheduled date of Thursday 13 September to a date to be announced.
“The Ballina Jockey Club has advised that due to the uncertainty that currently exists in respect to the equine influenza and the limitations on horse movements the Club has no alternative but to postpone the scheduled meeting date. I am also advised that the Club intends to reschedule the Ballina Cup to a date in November, although that will be subject to a finalisation of the current quarantine restrictions and approval from the governing bodies” stated Cr Silver.
“I am fully appreciative of the huge implications that equine influenza is having on the racing industry and I’m sure the community will understand the reasons why the club had no alternative but to postpone the Cup.
“I also hope that when the Cup is rescheduled the entire community will come out and show their support for the industry.
“As to the half-day public holiday for the Ballina Cup I have received advice that the Minister for Industrial Relations has the authority to transfer the holiday to the revised Cup date and it seems appropriate to me that we follow that course of
action.”
The chairman of the Ballina Jockey Club, Gary Kliese, endorsed the Mayor’s comments and emphasised that the limited timeframe available before the Cup, combined with the current uncertainty regarding equine influenza, meant that the club thought it was only fair to everyone that an announcement be made as early as possible to postpone the Cup.
“This is a huge decision. However, I believe we have no real alternative but to postpone the Cup. Nevertheless, let me assure the Ballina racegoing public that every effort will be made to reschedule the Cup to a later date,” Mr Kliese said.
A media conference will be held at the Ballina Council Chambers at 11am today to discuss this matter further. Representatives from Ballina Shire Council and the Ballina Jockey Club will be in attendance.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
It’s a real shame that this had to happen, but I hope that the community can get right behind the rescheduled event. I know that I will definitely be there, and I’m sure that the warmer temperatures might make us all a little bit more thirsty as well.