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The Stawell Racing Club meeting on Tuesday February 11 has been transferred to Ararat Turf Club due to the state of the track.

RV Manager Racing Operations, Paul Bloodworth consulted with SRC and a stewards inspection deemed the track not suitable for racing on Tuesday.

“Stawell Racing Club has been managing an area of the track affected by poor drainage which has become worse as the result of the use of recycled water for irrigation,” Bloodworth said.

“The ongoing hot, dry and windy conditions experienced in the region in recent weeks and the declining quality of the water available for irrigation has resulted in the club being unable to prepare the track to a safe standard.

“With the safety of all horses and jockeys being of the highest importance, Racing Victoria and the Stawell Racing Club felt the only decision available was to transfer the meeting.

“Stawell lost its meeting on 17 January due to the bushfires and extreme weather experienced in the region and therefore RV and the Club have made the decision to transfer the meeting on 11 February to ensure it proceeds.”

The Fire Recovery/Halls Gap Cup Day will proceed as planned at Ararat, with the two clubs working together to deliver the event in aid of those affected by fires in the region last month.

There will be two minor distance changes as a result of the transfer with two 1300m races extended to 1310m.

Stawell’s next meeting is programmed for April 20.