Mansfield picnic meeting abandoned, Pakenham race times amended

Racing Victoria (RV), in conjunction with Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and the Mansfield District Racing Club, wishes to advise that the picnic meeting scheduled for Mansfield this Saturday, 10 January has been abandoned owing to the ongoing impact of bushfires in the region.

The fire danger rating for Mansfield is currently rated extreme, while a ‘Watch and Act – Leave Now’ advisory has also been issued for the area on the VIC Emergency website. 

While Mansfield itself has not been directly affected, several key roads in the area have been closed, including the Maroondah Highway between Merton and Maindample.

Travel in the area is becoming increasingly difficult, and with volunteers and staff no longer able to assist in facilitating the meeting, the decision to abandon was made this morning in the interests of community safety, as well as horse and participant welfare.

RV will consider the impact of the abandonment on the Picnic program in due course.

Race times for tonight’s Southside Pakenham meeting will also be moved back half an hour to avoid a clash with extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to drop significantly at 7pm this evening.

Updated race times for Southside Pakenham are as follows:

Race 1 - 6:45pm

Race 2 - 7:15pm

Race 3 - 7:45pm

Race 4 - 8:15pm

Race 5 - 8:45pm

Race 6 – 9:15pm

Race 7 – 9:45pm

Race 8 – 10:15pm

At this point in time, all other Victorian race meetings are proceeding as scheduled. If changes are required, further updates from RV will be communicated in due course.