Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted Friday at 05:38 AM Journalists Share Posted Friday at 05:38 AM Racing WA has implemented significant changes to upcoming race meetings, including Saturday’s Ascot meeting, in response to extreme heat conditions forecasted for Western Australia, prioritising the safety and welfare of animals and participants. The adjustments come as temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C in some regions, as advised by the Bureau of Meteorology. Racing WA Chief Racing Officer David Hunter emphasised the organization’s commitment to welfare, stating, “Our hot weather policies are based on the principle that animal and participant welfare always comes first.” “When the forecast is 38°C or higher, officials consider racing earlier or later to avoid the hottest time of day, re-locating to a racecourse where the weather is cooler and rescheduling races to other days, times or venues,” Hunter said. “The aim is to alleviate the hot weather risk, but we won’t hesitate to abandon a race meeting if it’s not safe to go ahead.” “It’s normal for some summer race meetings to be cancelled each year due to hot weather,” he added. Under Racing WA’s policies, stewards and veterinarians must confirm that conditions have eased from peak temperatures before racing proceeds. The following race meetings have been adjusted to address the heat concerns: Ascot Racecourse, Saturday, 21 December: Racing will now begin at 9:04 a.m. and conclude by 1:44 p.m. to avoid the higher temperatures forecasted for the afternoon. Pinjarra (thoroughbreds), Sunday, 22 December: This meeting has been relocated to Bunbury Racecourse, where cooler conditions are expected. Pinjarra (harness), Monday, 23 December: This event has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 24 December. Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.