Historic race to go ahead after track recovers from devastating bushfire

The East Gippsland community was devastated by the Australian bushfires and the region's racetrack Buchan was left scorched, but some good news has emerged from the embers with the course set to stage their historic Buchan Cup meeting on February 15.

Country Racing Victoria gave the 133rd edition the go-ahead – thrilling the Buchan and Gelantipy Race Club which had been desperate to hold the meeting as a means of rebuilding community spirit.

Large proportions of Australia have been ravaged by the fires which began at the start of the season in July and East Gippsland was one of the worst affected parts of Victoria as the raging fires escalated over the Christmas and New Year period.

The racecourse did not escape, with the winning post, callers tower and running rail barely left standing while the home straight suffered terrible damage.

"We're thrilled Buchan Cup day is able to go ahead as planned. This is a racing club which has raced for 132 years, and we are delighted that their annual meeting hasn't been waylaid by the bushfires," said CRV CEO Scott Whiteman.

"We're very grateful for all of the help that the racing fraternity has offered Buchan over the past few weeks. We now ask that as many people as possible turn up at the races on February 15 to show their support at this fantastic community race day."

Australia continues to reel from the disaster as Racing Victoria were forced to abandon racing at Caulfield and Yarra Valley last Wednesday, while last Tuesday's Spendthrift Australia Park meeting was also lost due to the smoke haze.

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