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Racing Queensland has announced that race meetings scheduled for Townsville for the next two months will be hosted by the Mackay Turf Club, Cairns Jockey Club and Burdekin Race Club as upgrades continue on the Cluden Park track.

Mackay will host the March 20 and March 29 dates, Cairns will take on the April 10 meeting and Burdekin the Sunday 26 April meeting, all originally scheduled for Townsville.

Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon said the allocation of meetings was based on opportunities to race in the regions and their individual racing schedules.

Trainers who are expected to travel significantly greater distances for racing opportunities will be offered a subsidy.

“The decision to race at these venues will ensure there are significant racing opportunities for all trainers within these regions and I would again like to thank the Mackay, Cairns and Burdekin clubs for making themselves available to host these meetings,” Condon said.

“Trainers will be offered the $200 subsidy for the replacement meetings at Mackay and Cairns to ensure they have sufficient opportunities to race at TAB meetings, which would normally be at Townsville.”

Condon said Racing Queensland would continue to monitor the racing schedules within the region to determine the best allocation of meetings.

“I would like to thank our participants in these regions for their understanding as the Townsville upgrade continues,” he said.

“I would also like to remind everyone that these minor disruptions will ultimately enable us to have yet another premier surface in the north at Cluden Park, which will only strengthen our thoroughbred product in the region.”