Due to the forecast of very hot conditions for the Perth metropolitan area tomorrow, Racing & Wagering Western Australia and Perth Racing has this morning made the decision to delay the commencement time of tomorrow’s race meeting at Ascot.
Although the Bureau of Meteorology has advised the air temperature is forecast to peak at 41 degrees at around 3pm, the ‘feels like’ temperature on the day is not expected to exceed 37 degrees.
RWWA Manager Thoroughbred Racing David Hunter said “the welfare of our people and animals is absolutely paramount and the decision to run tomorrow’s Ascot meeting in the twilight period will ensure the majority of the race meeting is not conducted in the hottest part of the day”.
“RWWA will implement our ‘Racing Horses in Hot Weather’ policy which provides for several additional measures to be implemented at the race meeting to assist the welfare of both our horses and riders.”
The Ascot meeting will now commence at 3.50pm and with 30 minute intervals between races the meeting will conclude at 6.50pm. All races will continue to be telecast on SKY Racing 1.
Full amended race times for the meeting are as follows:
• Race 1 3.50pm
• Race 2 4.20pm
• Race 3 4.50pm
• Race 4 5.20pm
• Race 5 5.50pm
• Race 6 6.20pm
• Race 7 6.50pm