Racing Victoria (RV) has announced the Swan Hill race meeting on Monday has been abandoned due to extreme hot weather conditions. The welfare of both horses and human participants is of the highest priority to Racing Victoria and as such the decision has been made to not go ahead with the scheduled meeting.
Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said the decision was made in the best interests of both human and equine participants.
“The decision has been made today to abandon Monday’s meeting at Swan Hill following ongoing consultation with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Country Racing Victoria and the Swan Hill Jockey Club,” Carpenter said. “This is a decision that has not been made lightly however we feel is necessary to ensure the health and welfare of horses, jockeys and everyone involved in conducting the meeting.”
Monday’s forecast maximum temperature for Swan Hill 43 degrees Celsius, making it the seventh consecutive day in excess of 40 degrees. A total of 50 acceptances were received for the meeting at this morning’s deadline, also indicating an unwillingness from trainers to run horses in the forecast conditions. Racing Victoria’s Head of Veterinary, Dr Brian Stewart, said the expected conditions could potentially be hazardous for participants.