| The new Morphettville track
is finially taking shape with the first new turf being laid yesterday. The latest development comes just a fortnight after is was announced
the return to racing on the track had been delayed.
Officials lay the blame squarely with the unseasonal cool and
wet weather which had consistently been received in Adelaide over the late spring and
early summer period.
So far this summer Adelaide has received only one day over 30
degrees, making it difficult for the heavy machinery to work on the clay base.
At this stage the South Australian Jockey Club has pencilled
in April 3 as the date at which the first meeting will be held on the new re-modelled
surface.
The delay has forced officials to move one of the state's
biggest racedays away from the premier track.
The $400,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $300,000
Swettenham Stud Stakes were both to be held at Morphettville, but both will now be run at
Cheltenham. Subsequently both races will now be run over 1250 metres, not the usual trip
of 1200 metres. |
