For the second consecutive year, Sunday's Horsham Cup will be run behind closed doors.
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Unfortunately for organisers the state's roadmap out of lockdown left them with no other option.
"We're shattered again," Horsham and District Racing Club president Jason Merlo said.
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"We thought we might have been able to get some fans there, but looks like we'll have to wait until the Santa Day Races to get people back on the track.
"I thought we might have been able to get an exemption to be in one of the LGA vaccine passport sites, seeing as though we've got low cases here.
"It would have been good just to get 300 to 400 people.
"We're disappointed but at least were still racing not like the football and netball."
According to Merlo the Horsham Cup usually attracts 1500 to 2000 spectators.
"We were just starting to build the crowds back up (in 2019)," he said.
"It looks like Santa Day is going to be the go again."
After last year's Horsham Cup cancellation the Club's Santa Day Races were able to be held with a patron limit of 1000. This year's event is scheduled for December 19.
Despite the hardship the HDRC has faced, they have been able to keep all their sponsors, something which they are very grateful for.
"All our sponsors have stayed onboard. We're very happy about that," Merlo said.
"I feel sorry for them not getting to mingle and present the Cup on the day."
Off the track and things are going "really smoothly" for the HDRC according to Merlo.
"We've got funding between us and the Harness Club; we're putting up a betting ring/area so hopefully that might be ready before Christmas," he said.
"It'll certainly be ready for our May races."
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