Power outage claims last night meeting for the season

SYDNEY, March 5 AAP - A power outage in the suburbs surrounding Canterbury Racecourse brought night racing to a premature end for the season on Thursday.

The racetrack lights stayed on via an emergency generator but all other power was affected and no course broadcasts were available.

The final night of racing under lights was also a celebration of the beginning of the NRL season for the local team, the Bulldogs, who were in attendance.

A Sydney Turf Club (STC) spokeswoman said the team members stayed and mixed with their young fans who had turned up to wish them well.

The cause of the blackout was not certain but STC officials called the meeting off at 9pm when informed it would be another one to two hours before power was restored.

Just two races were run with the second conducted without commentary.

AAP TURF cw