Racing WA has implemented significant changes to upcoming race meetings, including Saturday’s Ascot meeting, in response to extreme heat conditions forecasted for Western Australia, prioritising the safety and welfare of animals and participants.
The adjustments come as temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C in some regions, as advised by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Racing WA Chief Racing Officer David Hunter emphasised the organization’s commitment to welfare, stating, “Our hot weather policies are based on the principle that animal and participant welfare always comes first.”
“When the forecast is 38°C or higher, officials consider racing earlier or later to avoid the hottest time of day, re-locating to a racecourse where the weather is cooler and rescheduling races to other days, times or venues,” Hunter said.
“The aim is to alleviate the hot weather risk, but we won’t hesitate to abandon a race meeting if it’s not safe to go ahead.”
“It’s normal for some summer race meetings to be cancelled each year due to hot weather,” he added.
Under Racing WA’s policies, stewards and veterinarians must confirm that conditions have eased from peak temperatures before racing proceeds.
The following race meetings have been adjusted to address the heat concerns:
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