Harness racing enthusiasts will have to wait at least another week for the new season to start at the National Equestrian Centre because of Tropical Storm Karl.

Organisers Driving Horse and Pony Club had planned to launch the season under floodlights tonight at Vesey Street but was forced to cancel proceedings because of the expected adverse weather conditions.

“Unfortunately the forecast for tomorrow has not improved and a Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect,” the DHPC said in a statement.

“Due to the severity of the anticipated weather we believe it is prudent to cancel tomorrow night’s races at this time.”

The race committee now hope to get the new season off and running next Saturday at 7pm.

“All entries for tomorrow night [tonight] will be carried over to October 1 unless otherwise advised by the owner/driver,” the DHPC statement added.

“Please note entries are open until 5pm Monday, September 26 and can be given to any committee member for anyone else who wishes to enter the October 1 races.”

Cherokee’s Ironman dominated the sport last season, winning the coveted Champion of Champions and Aged Stakes titles.

Arnold Manders’s gelding also posted last season’s fastest time of 1:02/4 racing on the rail in the second heat of the Champion of Champions finals en route to clinching the blanket with top driver Tyler Lopes at the helm.

Cherokee’s Ironman holds all the records for a two-year-old on the quarter-mile, five-sixteenth and half-mile tracks in Indiana, as well as the three-year-old record on the ½mile and five-sixteenth tracks.

Roque Family’s stallion, GV Crystal Ball, a former Champion of Champions winner, Manders’s gelding, Approved Credit, and Inwood Stables’ mare, Shady’s Liberty, were all retired at the end of last season.

n The Bermuda Football Association has called off two of season-opening Premier Division fixtures because of a shortage of match officials.

Those games are Somerset Bridge against Devonshire Colts at White Hill Field, and Flanagan’s Onions against Somerset Trojans at Goose Gosling Field.

The other matches going ahead, weather permitting, are Dandy Town against Robin Hood at St John’s Field, Boulevard at home to North Village, and Devonshire Cougars against PHC Zebras at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Because of the impending storm the National Sports Centre closed yesterday at 3pm. It is expected to reopen this afternoon, but not in time for the start of the league rugby season, which was due to be played today. Those matches have been postponed.