Mornington races off because of heat

The rescheduled Mornington race meeting has now been abandoned because of the forecast for extreme heat in Victoria.

This means there will be no races in the state on Saturday.

Earlier this week racing officials moved the Caulfield metropolitan meeting from Saturday to Sunday, swapping it with Mornington where temperatures were expected to be slightly cooler with a sea breeze.

After a revised forecast on Friday, Racing Victoria decided to abandon the Mornington meeting, with temperatures predicted to reach 40 degrees.

RV said the the predicted increase from 35 to 40 degrees and northerly winds up to 40 kph prompted the decision in the interests of safety for horses and participants.

“RV will continue to work with the MRC to find a suitable replacement date for the meeting,” RV said.

Saturday’s Dederang picnic meeting has been abandoned while the country meeting at Kilmore has been moved to Monday.