The forecast for extreme heat in Melbourne has prompted racing officials to abandon a city meeting at The Valley.
Friday night’s scheduled meeting was called off late on Thursday with Racing Victoria and the Moonee Valley Racing Club making the decision after consulting with RV’s veterinary department, the Bureau of Meteorology and the respective jockeys’ and trainers’ associations.
The forecast is for 42 degrees in Melbourne on Friday afternoon with the heat lasting into the evening.
“The hottest part of the day is predicted to be late afternoon when many horses would be required to travel, and the temperature is currently predicted to be 41 degrees when the meeting is scheduled to start at 6.30pm,” RV’s Greg Carpenter said.
Carpenter said the meeting would not be rescheduled but the club would explore options to hold the Lunar New Year celebrations on February 7.
A day meeting at Werribee had already been moved from Friday to Monday.