Kwikilla put on ice after Cairns deluge

TOWNSVILLE filly Kwikilla will have to wait at least a week for her opportunity to shine in the QTIS Jewell Qualifier after racing was abandoned at Cairns’ Cannon Park today.

The three-year-old trained at Wulguru by Tony Comerford was set to contest the feature qualifier, with the winner progressing to the $500,000 final on the Gold Coast.

But those plans have come unstuck after a heavy deluge in the state’s far north.

Cairns Jockey Club have had their prayers answered withy the seven-race program rescheduled to next Monday after the Cannon Park track was deemed unsuitable late yesterday.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards and local officials walked the track late yesterday afternoon and eventually made the call not to proceed with the seven-event TAB program.

“Following a QRIC Steward track inspection at 3.45pm on Monday the Cairns Thoroughbred meeting set down for Tuesday 25/02/2020 will not go ahead,” QRIC said in a statement.

“The track has been deemed unsuitable for racing after receiving in excess of 150mm of rain over the past three days and the further forecast of continuing rain.”

Cannon Park’s track has been rated heavy for much of the last few days following the strong rain in the region and was rated a Heavy 10 before the races were abandoned.

Cairns Jockey Club general manager John Cameron said they would just need to cop the decision handed down.

“I have walked the track this afternoon and there is minimal surface water,” Cameron said.

“We will just have to take the judges decision on this one as after all we are looking to keep everyone safe.”

It has been a tough start to the year for racing in FNQ with Innisfail Turf Club losing three meetings to the weather already in 2020.

Horse racing in North Queensland heads to Townsville this coming Saturday afternoon for a six-event TAB program.