Flood fears dry up for York Racecourse’s two-day finale (From Gazette & Herald)

Flood fears dry up for York Racecourse’s two-day finale

10:53am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

YORK RACECOURSE has confirmed it is “all systems go” ahead of its final meeting of the season next Friday and Saturday.

Knavesmire chiefs said the track was fully capable of staging racing yesterday morning, after the last of the surface flooding drained away overnight from the pull-up area.

The going was soft and Met Office’s five-day weather forecast for York is largely dry with showers passing through the region tomorrow.

The majority of the car parks, including the drained ‘C’ and ‘D’ car parks and coach parks, are also already fit for use and there are contingency plans for car parking should the remaining areas still be wet.

The track has continued to benefit from the £2.5 million project designed to improve drainage which has now been in place for several seasons.

James Brennan, York Racecourse head of marketing, said: “It was unchartered territory for us.

“It is the first time since the drainage project was completed that the Knavesmire has behaved that way.

“What encouraged us right from the start of this flooding was that 95 per cent of the racing surface – the bit where the horses would go – was fine, even at the worst point.

“As the river level dropped, when we came in yesterday morning the water had melted away altogether from across the track. We are encouraged that the drainage project is proving a benefit and the team have turned their attention to other areas.

“We have the contingency plans in place if we need them but, since yesterday, ‘A’ car park has dried up again.

“It removes any nagging doubts in the back of minds and we are able to fully focus on the racing and the other excitement that comes with the finale meeting.”