NEXT year’s Orange and district picnic races have been awarded to Racing Orange as Racing NSW staff continue attempts to contact the picnic races committee members.
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Racing NSW industry and analytical general manager Scott Kennedy said the event would run next year.
“It’s been penciled into the schedule, but for Racing Orange,” he said.
“We haven’t heard from the club and we haven’t had a response to our queries.”
The amount of funds still held by the committee remains unclear, with no financial statements submitted since the 2009-10 financial year, however Mr Kennedy’s letter to committee president Ben O’Halloran in December indicated if the committee entered a recess period or ceased to operate, funds should be transferred to Racing NSW.
Mr O’Halloran said he would not comment on the 2016 event until information was provided to him in writing.
He was unsure whether attempts had been made to contact Racing NSW and could not confirm whether the committee was still active.
“It depends on confirmation from Racing NSW, what’s happening with the day,” he said.
Racing Orange took over this year’s event with only weeks’ notice, leaving it with substantial costs to recoup.
Chair Ellie Brown said Racing NSW made the decision for Racing Orange to run the event and the fate of the funds was a matter for the state body and the picnic races committee.
“We’re pretty much bound by the dates they give us,” she said.
“The day has been entrenched in our history and we’ll continue to support the spirit of the day.”
Ms Brown encouraged anyone who wanted to become involved to contact Racing Orange.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
