HANGING Rock's popular New Year's Day race meeting has been transferred to Kyneton due to COVIDSafe concerns.
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The Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club (KHRRC) confirmed the change of a venue in a letter to its members on Friday.
The decision followed announcements this week by Racing Victoria and the state government surrounding the relaxation of restrictions regarding crowds at race meetings, including an increase in the number of spectators on-course from 500 to 1000.
Under the current restrictions there is a requirement that all race day events must be ticketed, seated and that the public must be distanced from industry participants.
KHRRC events and operations manager Lisa Evans said while the easing of restrictions was welcomed, the tight-nature of the Hanging Rock course and public space made developing a suitable COVIDSafe plan a tough task for the club.
"It was a really difficult decision and a decision we've considered over the last couple of months in how we could accommodate the COVIDSafe requirements at Hanging Rock," she said.
"But unfortunately it just became a bit too challenging, predominantly driven by the fact everyone needed to be seated.
"It would be nice if everyone could just roam and enjoy the venue, but that's not the way it is for (early) 2021."
Evans said the club had, however, been buoyed by the early interest in the New Year's meeting.
"We released a statement to our members (on Friday morning) and the response has been overwhelming from people wanting to book in and still come along to Kyneton," she said.
"We have in the past, for various reasons, hosted the Hanging Rock meetings at Kyneton, so this is not unique in that sense."
The club has developed an array of race-day packages, including public lawn with umbrella for groups of five and 10 people, members grandstand seating (limited to 100) and its Campaspe Dining Room (limited to 60).
All patrons - including members - attending on New Year's Day will be required to preregister and have an allocated seat.
Preference will be given to members to reserve a seat in the grandstand at no charge, or purchase a seated package at the event
With Victoria having reached a 42nd straight day (on Friday) without any new coronavirus cases, hopes are high the club can run its cup meeting on Australia Day at Hanging Rock.
"This is just for the New Year's Day meeting, we will keep monitoring what restrictions unfold over the coming weeks and we will make a determination whether the Australia Day meeting will stay at Hanging Rock or gets moved to Kyneton," Evans said.
"It's definitely only one meeting at this stage.
"We understand Hanging Rock is pretty special to a lot of people, but we still think people can have a good day at Kyneton."
New Year's Day will mark the first time the Kyneton racecourse has hosted public spectators since March.
The club welcomed back a small number of thoroughbred owners for last month's Kyneton Cup on November 4 and has had similar small number attend three subsequent meetings.
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