Early start for Caulfield midweek meeting

The forecast for hot weather in Melbourne has prompted racing officials to start a midweek meeting at Caulfield in the morning.

Wednesday’s meeting was scheduled to be run in the twilight timeslot but Racing Victoria has announced the eight-race meeting will now start at 11am with the final race to jump at 2.40pm.

Advice from the Bureau Of Meteorology was that the hottest part of the day would be through the twilight period.

There is also a race meeting at Bairnsdale in Victoria on Wednesday.

With the forecast for Bairnsdale slightly cooler than Caulfield, RV has decided to bring the races forward by one hour.

The first race at Bairnsdale is at 12.10pm while the last of eight races is scheduled for 3.50pm.

“RV’s Procedure for Racing in Hot Weather Policy is enacted at all meetings where hot weather conditions are forecast to ensure the health and wellbeing of horses and participants,” RV said.