RARING TO GO
Racing sets May 16 target
RACING has set a date for its resumption from the coronavirus blackout – May 16.
And punters can look forward to two weekends of Group-race action behind closed doors, including trials for the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas – and both Epsom Classics.
The British Horseracing Authority is holding its breath ahead of the government’s reappraisal of lockdown restrictions next Thursday.
But this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared Britain to be “past the peak and on the
downward slope”
– fuelling hopes of an ease in measures to combat the disease.
And racing took another step towards its hotly anticipated restart when BHA chief medical adviser Dr Jerry Hill took part in talks with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden yesterday. “We held an initial, constructive meeting with medical representatives from a number of professional and elite sports bodies, government and Public Health England,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. “Discussions with the sports bodies will continue on this.” Having pencilled in May 16 as the comeback date, Race planners at
High Holborn are working on a fixture list up until the end of June including the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.
The Nell Gwyn and Craven Stakes – along with the Sagaro and Brigadier Gerard Stakes – are set to take place during the penultimate weekend in May, with the Group One Lockinge, Dante and Musidora Stakes to follow a week later.
“We are preparing to race behind closed doors subject to the approval of the government, the BHA and the local NHS trust,” said York chief executive William Derby.