The Sunshine Coast’s Winx Guineas meeting has been called off after continual rain forced officials to abandon the meeting.
Four races were run on the Caloundra surface, however a downpour prior to the running of the fifth race saw the end of the meeting.
Jockeys raised significant concerns about a section of the track after the winning post, with surface water causing trouble.
Acting chief steward Geoff Goold said the meeting had been called off in consultation with the jockeys.
“There was surface water earlier this morning which subsided, however the showers throughout the day have forced us to abandon,” he said.
“It is a significant amount of water, it was up to our ankles when we inspected the track.
The remaining five races will be scheduled for next Sunday’s Sunshine Coast card, with nominations to be taken again.
“There was a proposal to cancel the races, however it is important to have them at the end of the Queensland carnival,” Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said.
“They give local trainers, jockeys and connections a good opportunity at more than $1 million in prizemoney.”
The Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m), Caloundra Cup (2400m) and Group 3 Winx Guineas (1400m) are all worth $300,000 each, along with the $200,000 Open Handicap (1000m).
JOCKEY MANAGER EASES WORKLOAD
One of Queensland’s leading jockey managers will call it quits in the coming weeks, with Cameron Partington opting to focus on his work for the Australian Trainers’ Association instead.
Partington has been a vocal participant in Queensland racing over the past decade through his role as the Queensland representative of the ATA, but has juggled a significant jockey portfolio since 2012, which has seen premierships from Jim Byrne and Jeff Lloyd.
Lately Partington has also managed Michael Rodd, Sam Collett and Mark Du Plessis.
Partington is not walking away from racing, saying he wants to further his work with the ATA and the Queensland Thoroughbred Alliance.
“The jockey manager role is 24/7, 365 days a year – there is no break,” Partington said.
“The job goes with you on holidays – you are looking after the financial future of professional athletes, who themselves face untold pressures mentally with the highs and lows of racing and the physical demands of weight management and constant risk of injury.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges, the highs have been huge, like winning Group 1 and Magic Millions races, the metro premierships which are rewards for continual success over the longer period.
“I won’t miss the lows, the struggles when your jockeys are not flavour of the month, the constant concerns for their safety each time they go to work and then the battles they have with weight and injury.
“Your jockeys are your family, and they will remain that way as you certainly build a relationship with them and share so much of life with them.”
Originally published as Winx Guineas meeting at Sunshine Coast abandoned after downpour