A night-time double-header will be trialled for the first time in Victoria this Friday (10 December), with Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights at The Valley (metropolitan) and Cranbourne Turf Club (country) set to host overlapping meetings.
In order to assess the impact on wagering and field sizes and to enable both clubs to attract larger COVID Safe crowds in the build-up to Christmas, Racing Victoria (RV) has programmed an eight-race card at The Valley and a seven-race fixture at Cranbourne which will start at 6.10pm and 6.50pm respectively.
The last race at The Valley is scheduled to jump at 9.40pm, with Cranbourne due to finish 10 minutes later. As a result of the trial, Cranbourne Turf Club has relinquished its two Saturday night meetings, with night racing at the venue now conducted on Fridays only.
The success of the double-header trial – which was first announced in May – will determine whether or not it is repeated in the future.