BGRA manager Troy Harley said the association was extremely proud of the R2R event and its decision to cancel next month's event had not been an easy one.

He said the club had weighed up its position over several months and with consideration to several factors.

"It's unfortunate to have to make the decision to cancel yet again," Harley said.

"However, weighing up the pros and cons of the event, and with the most recent COVID roadmap not providing any greater certainty around the ability to host the required number of people to make it worthwhile for all parties, there was only one decision.

"We have some new conditions for the next R2R that we are confident will have an impact on the quality and the quantity of dogs to be offered for auction.

"The club is working on fine-tuning those conditions and testing the waters of reaction to them in the new year with the view of the R2R auction returning in 2022 bigger and better than ever."

The club cancelled its 2020 auction in October last year due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and had initially sought to run two auctions this year, the first one in March.

Timed to coincide with the 17th annual Gold Rush Carnival, that auction was postponed due to the low number of nominations, but the situation was looking much rosier for next month's event.

"The R2R is one of our main events and the club is proud to be the home of the R2R. We are determined that it will be back next year," Harley said.

"Until then we focus on the upcoming Bendigo Cup Carnival that looks set to be run behind closed doors again, with some significant social media coverage planned for both heat and finals days, and preparing in the hope to be able to welcome crowds back in the not too distant future.

"Maybe we will send out 2021 with a decent Christmas event."

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