Hawkesbury Race Club returns to racing next week, with a multi-million dollar facelift of various amenities underway and soon to be completed.
While racing goes into recess in the hottest part of the summer months, the Clarendon track has been a hive of activity, with upgrades to bars, function and administration areas.
Hawkesbury Race Club Chief Executive, Greg Rudolph, said he was looking forward to the building works being completed, following the successful addition of the all-weather Polytrack to the club’s training facilities last year.
“These works, when completed, will be the culmination of two years planning and address a number of areas across the club, of benefit to many stakeholders,” he said.
“We have expanded our administration area for staff, upgraded our jockeys’ rooms and Stewards’ room and added a purpose built media hut for the enhancement of our vision off-course.
“In addition, our on-course patrons will benefit from upgrades to bars and function areas, to enhance their day out in comfortable surrounds.”
Following the training track installation last year, the club has also built an observation hut for trainer’s overseeing morning track work sessions. The club will continue additional safety enhancements to all tracks.
Racing returns to the Clarendon track on Thursday week, February 21, with a quick back up to the $150,000 Polytrack Provincial qualifier, on Sunday, February 24.
Top line Godolphin sprinter Osbourne Bulls, and his trainer, James Cummings, made a surprise appearance at Hawkesbury Race Club on Tuesday.
Osbourne Bulls had a straight track gallop ahead of his first appearance of the autumn carnival, in the Group One Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington this Saturday.
Cummings was pleased with what he saw, as the sprinter worked down the back straight in preparation for the 1000m straight sprint at Flemington.
“I’m very happy with his preparation,” Cummings said. “He’s trialed up in Sydney at Randwick and should be ready to run over five furlongs for the first time in his life.
“He’s pretty fresh and well, and it will be an interesting test for the horse … I’m delighted Hawkesbury Race Club has availed the course to give him the best chance to prepare for the Lightning.”
Osbourne Bulls has a strike rate of 14 starts for nine wins and four minor placings, including a third in The Everest in 2018.