Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) have today announced that tomorrow’s Super Saturday meeting at Flemington will start early owing to forecast hot weather.
In light of the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest forecast that the temperature will reach 39 degrees at Flemington late on Saturday afternoon, the eight-race meeting will now commence at 10.45am and conclude at 2.30pm.
The revised race times are as follows:
Race 1: 10.45am
Race 2: 11.15am
Race 3: 11.45am
Race 4: 12.15pm
Race 5: 12.45pm (Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap)
Race 6: 1.20pm
Race 7: 1.55pm
Race 8: 2.30pm
The decision to start early has been made in the interests of horse and participant welfare, with RV’s Racing in Hot Weather Policy to be enacted.
The arrival time on-course has been reduced to 60 minutes for horses engaged in Races 1 and 2 and 90 minutes for horses in Races 3 to 8 (down from two and three hours respectively). Horses will also spend less time parading before their races.
In addition, misting fans will spray cold water on horses in safe spaces from the float car park and through the pre-parade ring, while extra attendees will be in place around the Mounting Yard to assist with hosing and sponging horses post-race.
Dress regulations for the members enclosure have also been revised for the day to cater for the weather conditions, with a jacket and tie optional in members’ areas. This decision has been made with the comfort of members and their guests in mind this Saturday and is not a permanent change in the dress code policy.
Despite the revised times, VRC Members and ticket holders can still enjoy a full day at Flemington, with the venue set to open at the earlier time of 10.15am. Public areas will be open until after the last race at 2.30pm, members’ areas until 3.30pm and the Club Stand Roof Garden, Terrace and Chairman’s Club until 4.45pm.
The public transport schedule is being revised and thus racegoers are asked to check the
PTV website for the most up-to-date information.