The Serve

NSW Racing says Hawkes may be right

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Trackwork resumes at Randwick

The boss of NSW racing, Peter V’landys, has acknowledged that John Hawkes morbid prediction that this years Randwick spring carnival is all but dead could be correct.

“I think John Hawkes may be right, unfortunately,” V’landys told Fox Sports News.

“I think we’ll be in a better position on Sunday to know exactly what the situation will be.

“Sunday will be D-Day. If we have no (equine influenza) positives by Sunday, then we’ll have a meeting with the state minister for agriculture.

“Everything compliments each other. Once our (big) races finish, the Melbourne spring carnival starts. I’d have say at this point in time, the Spring carnival is certainly doubtful.

“It will be hard to reschedule,” V’landy’s said.

Spring carnival aside, any racing in New South Wales is still uncertain, with NSW racing looking at alternatives.

“If it gets any worse we may have to look at racing at tracks that have got horses domiciled there,” V’landys said.

“We’re being very cautious, but better safe than sorry.”