With temperatures predicted to peak at 41 degrees this Friday afternoon (31 December), Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise that the program for the New Year’s Eve meeting at bet365 Echuca has been amended with the first race now due off at 11.10am.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast local temperatures to reach in excess of 40 degrees between 3-4pm, so the decision has been taken to bring all race times forward in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of horses and jockeys.
Due to the amended program there will be no divisions, with the last of seven races scheduled to begin at 2.20pm when the temperature is expected to be approximately 38 degrees.
RV will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the BOM, with a final decision on whether or not the Echuca meeting proceeds to be taken this Thursday (30 December).
At this stage Friday night’s meeting at The Valley will proceed as scheduled, with a cool change predicted from around 5pm and temperatures set to drop below 30 degrees by approximately 7pm.
The updated race times for the bet365 Echuca meeting are as follows:
Race 1 11.10am
Race 2 11.40am
Race 3 12.10pm
Race 4 12.40pm
Race 5 1.10pm
Race 6 1.45pm
Race 7 2.20pm