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There may be a pandemic changing our way of life but that hasn’t stopped Coffs Harbour Racing Club from staging a record Carlton Draught Coffs Harbour Cup.

Heavy rain forced the abandonment of last Sunday’s Sawtell Cup meeting, the first day of the Coffs Harbour Cup Carnival, but that hasn’t dampened the preparations for next Thursday’s Carlton Draught Coffs Harbour Cup meeting.

In fact, nominations for the Cup meeting could massively increase due to the lack of racing, CHRC Racing and General Manager, Tim Saladine believes.

“Everything is looking pretty positive,” Saladine said. “It’s all systems go here; we’ve got a fine day, 22 degrees and the weather forecast is for fine weather next week.”

He said while the Sawtell Cup was called off it might be re-run at Christmas. In the meantime, he’s expecting big nominations for Thursday’s Coffs Cup meeting when noms close at 11am on Friday (31st July).

“We’ve got eight races with nearly $450,000 in prizemoney. The Cup is worth $150,000 alone and we have three $50,000 races (Ken Howard Cup, Daniel Baker Sprint and Country Magic Merv Mercer Class 2), as well as a $40,000 Country Maiden and three $30,000 Showcase races.

‘We’ve already had a bit of interest with the noms. Gai (Waterhouse) might be sending a couple up for the Cup, Mark Newnham, Kris Lees, Matt Dunn and Chris Munce will all be represented.”

Nominations for all 8 races close at 11am on Friday with weights declared by 4pm Monday and acceptances due 9am next Tuesday (4th August).