3 minute read
The Newmarket Handicap meeting at Flemington will commence two hours early with Melbourne expected to reach 39 degrees.
The forecast top temperature of 39 degrees in Melbourne ahead of the Flemington meeting on Saturday has brought about earlier start and finish times.
Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club announced on Friday the meeting will start two hours earlier than originally planned in a bid to beat the heat of the day.
The first race will run at 10.45am with the final race of the eight-event card timed to run at 2.30pm.
The feature race of the day, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, will be run at 12.45pm, for which New Zealand mare Imperatriz is the favourite.
RV said the decision to start early was made in the best interests of horse and participant welfare.
The change also allows for horses in the first two races to arrive on course one hour before their race with races three to eight horses being required on course 90 minutes before start time, while horses will also spend less time parading before their races.
In addition, misting fans will spray cold water on horses in safe spaces from the float car park and through the pre-parade ring, while extra attendees will be in place around the Mounting Yard to assist with hosing and sponging horses post-race.
