Andrew Hogan© Photo Healy Racing
Having Cork Racecourse being used as a test centre for coronavirus is really positive and as manager of the track along with Tipperary, it was a very easy decision to make the facility available for such vital work in these most testing times.
I am down at the track a few days a week. Perry Power, the track foreman is down a few days as well. We split it up between a few of us to be there, to look after the logistics such as traffic management and getting in local caterers for the medical personnel. We’re just making sure they’re happy with everything, have everything they need and that it runs smoothly.
The nurses are delighted with the facility and thankfully it’s working for them.
When we got a call from a local woman in the HSE, we were only delighted to be facilitate in any way we could.
The space we have was a huge attraction, and the fact that we can operate a one-way traffic system. The cars come in the Killarney End car park. The nurses are operating their office out of the weigh room, where there are shower, laundering and canteen facilities as well.
They have testing bays on both sides of the parade ring and have marquees set up there so the nurses don’t have to come outside. The testing is done as a drive-thru, so people don’t leave their cars.
The traffic continues then down what is our horse walk — we have taken out some of the railings to create more space — and then out through the lorry car park, so it works well as a one-way system to keep the traffic moving.
Racecourses are ideal for this use and it’s great to be able to provide the facilities. Hopefully the lockdown situation will flatten the curve on Covid-19. Signs are encouraging at the moment.
It came as no massive shock when the curtain came down on racing. We knew it was a day-by-day affair and the priority has to be people’s health.
Nobody knows what is going to happen next so we can’t plan. We’re hoping to be back racing in June but all we can do is essential works, which at this stage, is keeping the track cut. Everything else is race ready for us. So, it’s just to be ready, whenever we start back up again.
It’s harder on trainers. I heard that some of them in Newmarket are keeping them in their boxes but my father, Tom, has the majority of them gone out to the field. I suppose there are some places like the Curragh that haven’t that luxury. That’s why it was important to make that call for the jumps guys, so people know what is happening.
So until racing resumes, it’s brilliant to have the facility at Cork Racecourse playing a role in the testing and a number of our staff helping with the traffic management and to help out in any way they can. We’re delighted to be doing anything we can.
It’s actually very positive to see what people are doing around the country, supplying cars, accommodation and so on to frontline staff. Everybody is coming together and as frightening as it is, there are an awful lot of positives to see as well.
Health is the priority and while there will be a lot of financial worries for everyone to come, we must do what we can to be able to get the country going again.
