One of the most popular racedays on the Wagga sporting calendar has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The annual Kurrajong race day will not go ahead in it's usual format this year.
The races will still be run but the meeting will be closed to the general public, forcing Kurrajong and Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) to cancel the yearly fundraiser.
The fundraiser is among MTC's top three best attended race meetings for the year, and is a source of considerable income for Kurrajong.
Kurrajong chief executive Ray Carroll said it was a difficult but necessary decision.
"We just felt this was not the time to hold a fundraising event while so many are so adversely affected by this horrendous virus," Carroll said.
"We look forward to future days and to our supporters continued support, but not right now."
Carroll conceded it was a tough time for everyone at the moment.
"We are naturally very concerned not only for the welfare of those people with a disability we support, many of whom are classified as vulnerable for the purpose of the COVID-19, but are similarly concerned for the welfare of the wider community who are doing it tough right now and will for some time," Carroll said.
MTC chief executive Steve Keene confirmed the current restrictions on racing meant the meeting would not be able to be run in its traditional format.
"Unfortunately the much-loved Kurrajong race day will run this year with no crowds, due to restrictions from the COVID-19 outbreak," Keene said.
But he quickly threw his support behind the organisation and the future of the charity race day, explaining it was one of the highlights of the Wagga social calendar for many families.
"The club can assure everyone that this race day will be back bigger and better in 2021," Keene said.
Kurrajong wished to recognise the incredible impact their sponsors, committee, volunteers and the MTC have had on services to over 1,000 babies, children and adults with disabilities since its first race day in 1989.
Many sponsors have been supporting the work of Kurrajong for the entire 30 years.
This year's Kurrajong race day was set for Saturday, May 30.
MTC's next race meeting will be held on Sunday, April 19.
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