Benalla Racing Club is heading into the 2020-21 season both hopeful and realistic.
Missing the worst of the first COVID-19 lockdown – with restrictions only affecting its April 3 meet – the club will again usher in its first race of the new season under stage three restrictions.
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And while the club enjoyed a successful 2019-20 season – with crowd numbers up by about 15 per cent – the grounds at the track are set to be empty as crowd-less meets have become the new norm.
The tougher restrictions have done little to dampen the club’s spirits though, with general manager Cam Symes excited to see racing back in Benalla on September 1.
“The track is in pristine conditions, it was over sowed in the cooler conditions so we’re raring to go,” Symes said.
Back when COVID-19 first hit, Racing Victoria implemented strict safety protocols to ensure the racing industry could continue across the state.
It’s a set of protocols Benalla has been under for months and which will further dictate several upcoming meets at the club.
“Our staff, trainers and strappers have been wearing masks and getting temperature checked on arrival for months, which will continue for months to come,” Symes said.
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The biggest question mark hanging over the club is the fate of its premier event – the Benalla Gold Cup – which is usually earmarked for the AFL Grand Final long weekend.
Symes said locals could expect an announcement in the next few weeks.
“We are very hopeful that as it’s still a few months away, we’ll be able to have some sort of crowd," Symes said.
“But we’re realistic and know it won’t be the same crowd as last year.”
“We’ll get our members back first, then our corporate partners, and then hopefully patrons.”
Symes said the club would take direction from the government as to when crowds could return.
“But the later it (Gold Cup) is, the more chance there is to have patrons back on track,” he said.
With Benalla typically closing its track over the winter months, the extended break has also given the club ample time to finish several projects on its books.
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The members’ lounge has been refurbished and a new commercial kitchen installed, while the existing kitchen has been transformed into a toilet block.
“There has been plenty of work going on,” Symes said.
“We can’t wait to get our members back, who run our club, and show them what we’ve been able to achieve.
“We want to thank our members and sponsors who have stuck with us during this time, and who’ve helped us get to where we are.”
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