The biggest event on Dubbo's social calendar will be a little different this year due to COVID-19, with organisers keeping a close eye on what may happen over the next two months.
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Derby Day attracts a crowd of up to 3500 patrons, but with the global health pandemic, Dubbo Turf Club manager Vince Gordon understands these are unknown times and wants to ensure people's safety.
"It won't be the Derby Day we know, but we as a Turf Club we respect that... but we will race and we will do something," he said.
The Club is waiting in anticipation to see what happens over the next few weeks in regards to COVID-19, which will give them a good idea as to what Derby Day 2020 may look like.
"From a Club's perspective we are quietly confident we will have Derby Day, but it will certainly be a lot different," Mr Gordon said.
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Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, but in the meantime the Turf Club is preparing for the Gold Cup race meeting on September 13.
"It's a good race day and it will be quality racing this year," Mr Gordon said.
He said the Turf Club will have a COVIDSafe Gold Cup event, run under the guidelines and rules they've been given, including patrons being seated at all times.
"We're planning a race meeting with up to 500 people... we can have fun at the races and enjoy ourselves but we're doing it seated rather than socialising on the move," he explained.
"Socialising in a seated way at the races is the new Gold Cup for 2020."
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The general manager is respectful racing has been able to continue and said the Club's priority is making sure those who attend, plus the entire racing industry, are safe.
"We're very conscious in ensuring we continue to race and the people who come to the races are aware that it is a COVIDSafe environment, that it will be different and we're happy to have them...," he said.
While numbers will be limited, Mr Gordon also said he is aware people want to enjoy events at the Dubbo Turf Club.
He hopes Derby day numbers can be bigger than the expected figure at the Gold Cup.
"But we have got to be able to regulate that," Mr Gordon said.
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Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
