Carnival contenders to gallop at Canterbury

Clinton Payne - Wednesday July 26

The Canterbury course proper will be opened to feature race day entries for Tuesday morning gallops in the coming weeks.

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The Australian Turf Club announced on Wednesday that one of Sydney's best racing surfaces will be opened for trackwork next Tuesday, ahead of the Missile Stakes meeting and Tuesday August 22 ahead of the San Domenico Stakes raceday.

It is expected more trackwork dates will be announced in the weeks to come.

"We have a fantastic facility at Canterbury Park and believe offering the course proper wherever possible for trackwork in the lead up to spring will assist an even better preparation for all horses,'' Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager of Racing James Heddo said.

NSW Trainers' Association CEO Glenn Burge said the move is a step in the right direction for the underutilised venue which has no horses permanently based there and hosts less than 25 meetings a year.

Canterbury is closed down as a race track during the autumn and spring when used as a quarantine centre for foreign carnival raiders.

"Trainers are appreciative of the opportunity to utilise the premium surface at Canterbury Park, and we look forward to continuing discussions with the ATC which may lead to more high-level use of this facility," Burge said.

Canterbury will also host the official two year old barrier trials on Monday, September 18.

NOTE TO TRAINERS: Trainers who wish to use Canterbury on Tuesday 1 or 22 August need to SMS Canterbury Park Track Manager Greg Carmody (0408 237 479) by 5pm on the Monday prior. They must list the trainer's name and number of horses to gallop.

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