A resolution was passed by horseracing officials in New South Wales accusing the Catholic Church of acting in 'bad faith' during the negotiation for the World Youth Day Celebration and repeating a request for the Mass to be held elsewhere, instead of at the Randwick racecourse.
The Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer, Peter V'Landys, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) they had major concerns about the construction of infrastructures for the event co-existing with their horses.
"We've still got major concerns with the event and the horses coexisting with the World Youth Day construction," he said.
The response from the NSW horseracing officials came after the Federal Agriculture Minister, Peter McGauran, told the Daily Telegraph it was 'almost certain' that Sydney and Brisbane would not have racing this weekend.
"Sydney and Brisbane are very problematical. In fact, you can almost say with certainty that they won't be racing this weekend," Mr. McGauran said.
On its website, the Australian Jockey Club expects that training of horses at the Randwick site will not be possible for a period of 10 weeks between the dates of 15 June 2008 and 23 August 2008.