Around 100 horsepeople from across eastern Ontario and Quebec gathered to assist staff at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Tuesday (Feb. 21) to clear a full storage barn in the first step to preparing a temporary paddock while the previous one, destroyed during a fire on Feb. 15, is rebuilt.
“We collectively have dealt with many crises in this business and this is no different," said Peter Andrusek, Racing Manager at Rideau Carleton. "We are a resilient bunch; nobody is ready to give up.
"To see so many pitch in — in the freezing cold — has inspired everyone here. I am not going to understate the task ahead; however, working with the AGCO and Ontario Racing we will win this race against time. We will race on March 19.”
Rideau Carleton Raceway intends to retrofit a number of its stabling barns located in the back of its property to serve as a paddock and test barn. Following regulatory approvals, a detail outline of all racing procedures will be made available.
(Rideau)