Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive Andrew O'Toole looks at turf club damage from the Cyclone Marcus.
Camera IconThoroughbred Racing NT chief executive Andrew O'Toole looks at turf club damage from the Cyclone Marcus. Credit: News Limited, Patrina Malone

Darwin turf club yet to operate after tropical cyclone Marcus

WILL ZWARNT News

DAMAGE to Darwin Turf Club’s racetrack caused by Cyclone Marcus forced the cancellation of the St Patrick’s Day race meeting.

Thoroughbred Racing NT CEO Andrew O’Toole said the tropical storm caused extensive damage to the facilities and the clean-up continued.

“The cyclone caused a lot of damage to the racecourse facilities and stables — not so much to the buildings, but knocked a lot of trees down, knocked the power,” he said.

“We were unable to race on Wednesday due to the amount of trees down, signage down ... just general debris.”

“We’re a bit worried the stable side with the animals, 140 horses stabled there, and obviously in this sort of heat, you need fans and that sort of stuff,” Mr O’Toole said.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“(Yesterday morning) was the first time we had the horses back on the track — being couped up for a long period of time when they’re not used to it is not good.”

The club expects to be up and running for their next meeting on March 29.