Wind gusts of up to 130 km/h have caused major damage at the Newcastle Paceway, however, the hard working team is doing as much as they can to ensure harness racing can continue. 

Newcastle’s General Manager Tony Drew confirmed the storm that wreaked havoc on the Hunter Valley had caused some major issues for the club, but a lot of work had already been done.

“First and foremost I just hope everyone is okay,” Drew said. “The storm has been very intense in and around the Hunter, and while a lot of damage has been caused, it can all be fixed.

“Monday night was the worst with the high winds causing some structural damage. A lot of our signs on the side of the track have been destroyed and the debris is littered all over the track, so obviously that needs to be cleaned up and removed for the safety of the horses.”

The club’s function room was also damaged as were several skylights in the betting ring.

“I spoke with the track manager Scott this morning and he is doing everything he can to get the track right,” Drew said. “We have called off the trials tonight and if the rain stops there is a good chance we will be able to race later in the week.

“There were a number of ruts in the track and they have been levelled off, but what was most concerning yesterday was the fence panelling made of tin had broken off and was flying around which is obviously very dangerous.”

Drew has been forced to remain at home since Monday due to the power outage as a result of the storm.

“I live on the seventh floor of my building and the lifts haven’t been operating since Monday night,” Drew explained.

“I had a double hip replacement three weeks ago and I am unable to climb the stairs, so I’m forced to be doing as much as I can from home.

“As soon as the lifts are working I will get back to the track.”

The Newcastle Harness Racing club is scheduled to race tomorrow and Saturday night.

“We have had a number of calls from trainers wanting to come to the track to work their horses in the lead up to Saturday’s meeting, but until Scott is happy with the conditions and it is safe, it is not possible,” Drew said.

Newcastle received 99.2mm of rain on yesterday, in comparison, only 88.6mm fell between February 1 and March 31.

• HRNSW Media