Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of changes to race times for the Australian Guineas meeting at Flemington this Saturday, 2 March due to a forecast temperature of 36 degrees.
Flemington race times will be brought forward to avoid the hottest part of the day, with the first race now scheduled for 10.55am and the last race at 3.20pm.
The gaps between races have also been reduced from 35 and 40 minutes down to 30 and 35 minutes meaning the program has been shortened to less than four and a half hours.
The time required on course for horses prior to their race has also been reduced from three hours to two in the interests of horse and participant welfare.
RV’s Procedure for Racing in Hot Weather Policy is enacted at all meetings where hot weather conditions are forecast to ensure the health and wellbeing of horses and participants.
Under the Policy, an additional vet is in attendance to assist in monitoring the condition of horses, large containers of ice water are made available at locations around the racecourse and horses are required in the mounting yard for reduced periods of time.
The Victoria Racing Club will also implement additional measures including misting fans in horse areas, rostering a dedicated staff member to assist in equine welfare measures in the horse stalls, and bottled water and icy-poles being readily available for all racing participants
The updated race times are as follows:
|
Race
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Time
|
|
Race 1 – Very Special Kids Plate 1000m
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10.55am
|
|
Race 2 – 3AW Roy Higgins Quality 2600m
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11.25am
|
|
Race 3 – ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap 1000m
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11.55am
|
|
Race 4 – Mittys Handicap 1100m
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12.25pm
|
|
Race 5 – Seppelt Wines Plate 1400m
|
1pm
|
|
Race 6 – The TAB Shaftesbury Avenue 1400m
|
1:35pm
|
|
Race 7 – Blamey Stakes 1600m
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2:10pm
|
|
Race 8 – Australian Guineas 1600m
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2:45pm
|
|
Race 9 – Furphy Frances Tressady Stakes 1400m
|
3.20pm
|
RV advised on Wednesday, 27 February of changes to race times at Swan Hill tomorrow Friday, 1 March, due to a forecast temperature of 39 degrees. Swan Hill have been brought forward two hours to avoid the hottest part of the day, with the first race now scheduled for 11am and the last race at 2.45pm.
Tomorrow’s night meeting at Moonee Valley will go ahead as scheduled, however, horses will be required on course one hour prior to their race as opposed to two hours.