Racing Victoria (RV) advises that the first heat of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series will be rescheduled after the meeting at Murtoa was abandoned on Saturday, 6 October.
Stewards inspected the track on Saturday following the running of race two and were not satisfied with the condition of the track, electing to abandon the meeting in the interests of horse and rider safety.
The BM64 heat will now take place on Monday, 22 October at Stawell and will retain the 1600m distance and $50,000 in prizemoney, as originally scheduled.
Following discussions with Murtoa Marma Racing Club, RV has also concluded that the remaining races at the abandoned meeting, including the Murtoa Cup, will not be rescheduled.
RV’s Racing Operations Manager, Josh Grimwood, said: “We felt it was important to reprogram the lost heat as it was the only chance Wimmera trainers had to secure their place in the final at Flemington on Oaks Day.
“Racing Victoria, in conjunction with the Murtoa Marma Racing Club, has since decided that all other races, including the Murtoa Cup, will not be reprogrammed given there are plenty of opportunities for those horses this time of year.”
The Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series features eight $50,000 heats to be run across country Victorian tracks, concluding with a $200,000 Benchmark 80 final over 1600 metres on 8 November, 2018 being Kennedy Oaks Day at Flemington.