Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise that the following race has been added to the Memsie Stakes race program at Caulfield next Saturday, 29 August:
- Race Conditions: Open Handicap
- Distance: 2000m
- Maximum Weight: 62kg
- Prizemoney: $135k
- Nominations: Close at 12 noon on Monday, 24 August
Quotes attributed to RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter
“Following the abandonment of the last four races at The Valley yesterday, owing to heavy rainfall, RV has reviewed the immediate opportunities for the horses engaged in those races.
“In respect to the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) and Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) these will not be programmed in the short term after reviewing the opportunities for those horses in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) for 3YOs, BM78 (1100m) and LR The Heath (1100m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
"RV will work with the Moonee Valley Racing Club to see if the races can be rescheduled later in the season.
“It was considered the Open Handicap (2000m) was an important race for horses going to the Quality Handicap (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, 12 September and targeting feature staying races during the Spring Racing Carnival.
“Following an exemption from RV’s COVID-19 operational management team and in consultation with the Melbourne Racing Club, the 2000m race has been added to the Memsie Stakes program to make it a ten race card.
“Nominations for the race will close at 12 noon this Monday, 24 August, along with the other races on the Memsie Stakes program.”