An unexpected turn of events will see Thursday's Murwillumbah meeting host one of the region's premier two-year-old events, the 2010 Ballina Bracelet.
The race was due to be run at Ballina last Friday, but the meeting was abandoned due to the state of the track following an intense downpour after the second of the day.
Ballina Jockey Club chief executive officer, Sarah Wills said that the club had received the green light from Racing NSW on Saturday to transfer the big race to Murwillumbah.
"We were obviously disappointed with the way things went on Friday, but we want to salvage the Bracelet, as much as anything else for the trainers and owners,” Ms Wills said.
"The club is very happy with the TRJC's involvement and we're looking forward to going to Murwillumbah.”
The event could be a valuable earner for winning connections with this year's race worth $11,000 in prizemoney, plus a $50,000 Brisbane Bloodstock bonus for eligible runners. A $5,000 BOBS breeding bonus is also on offer.
Tweed River Jockey Club (TRJC) officials have confirmed that Thursday's meeting will now showcase at least eight events. Acceptances for all races including the feature Bracelet will be declared on Tuesday (27.07.10).
TRJC chairman Bernie Quinn said that he was pleased the club was able to come to the rescue.
"We are very happy to accommodate our Ballina friends and to have such a prestigious event as the Ballina Bracelet run at Murwillumbah.”
"We had been looking forward to easing back into our normal racing program after all the glitz of last month's Murwillumbah Cup carnival, but this is good too,” said the jovial chairman.
"Let the feature racing at Murwillumbah continue.”
Prior to the inclusion of the Bracelet in Thursday's program, 154 horses had been nominated for the full TAB meeting. Nominations have been extended until 11.00 am today (26.07.10) in one event, the three-year maiden plate (1200m).
