Racing NSW, the administrative body in charge of horse racing in Australia’s most populous state, is considering holding a race meeting on Sydney’s iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge next year.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the meeting would be held on a purpose-built surface that is quick to lay and remove and would feature up to six races coinciding with the inaugural AU$10 million Everest at Royal Randwick racecourse in October 2018.
The concept is all part of a proposed global street racing circuit which would see race meetings held at iconic locations around the world. It is the brainchild of English duo Olly Neil and Andy King of GAG 403, who have patented a modular racing track system described as being similar to a Scalextric model car system. It measures 1,400 metres in length.
Racing NSW is reportedly keen for the concept to go ahead pending approval from the NSW State Government and the results of stringent safety testing.
Neil told the UK’s Racing Post that he wanted to reinvigorate the Sport of Kings.
“We will create a global circuit of horse racing events with high-quality local horses thundering down iconic city streets ridden by the world’s top jockeys,” he said.
“We’re going to do for horse racing what Twenty20 has done for cricket and 3×3 for basketball – reinterpreting the sport of kings for a young urban audience and dialling up on technology, entertainment, excitement and energy.”