Racing reveals return plan

NEWCASTLE is set to host the opening fixture if racing is able to resume as hoped behind closed doors on June 1.

Racing last took place in Britain at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17, with both cards staged behind closed doors.

Hopes of a restart this month were dealt a blow on Monday following news from the Government that there would be no professional sport, even without spectators, in England until at least June 1.

The British Horseracing Authority announced on Wednesday the 2000 and 1000 Guineas would be run on June 6 and 7 and Royal Ascot would remain in its traditional spot in the calendar, although all plans remain subject to sport being cleared to resume. The Derby and Oaks have been pencilled in for the same day this year, July 4.

Adding further detail to the first seven days of action, the cross-industry Resumption of Racing Group revealed both Newcastle and Kempton will race on June 2, followed by Kempton and Yarmouth on June 3 and Newcastle and Newmarket on June 4.

Lingfield and Newmarket feature on June 5, with those tracks also in action on June 6 together with Newcastle. Haydock, Lingfield and Newmarket host the June 7 fare, and Chelmsford, Haydock and Lingfield on June 8. Newmarket’s Friday card will be headlined by the Coronation Cup, which has been moved from Epsom, plus the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, Paradise Stakes and Abernant Stakes. Lingfield hosts its Derby and Oaks trials that day.

The group said in a communication to trainers on Thursday evening: “Following the UK Government’s publication of a provisional timeline for the return of sport, we are now planning for racing to resume behind closed doors on June 1. To support this plan, the sport will publish by Monday a timetable setting out the preparatory steps we need to work on together prior to the return of racing.”