Scorching Saturday prompts race day shake-up

Extreme heat has forced Racing Victoria to make changes to race times across the state.

Temperatures are predicted to hit 40c in Melbourne on Saturday, and reach 35c by 1pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Caulfield meeting will now start at 11.20am, with the last race at 4.25 where temperatures are still expected to be 39c. The gaps between races have been reduced to 30 minutes.

Victorian country meetings at Great Western and Yea, which include their country cups, have also had their race times brought forward. Great Western will now commence at 11:31am and conclude at 3:26pm, while Yea will commence at 12:06pm and finish at 3pm.

New race times at Caulfield

• Race 1: 11:20am AEDT
• Race 2: 11.50am AEDT
• Race 3: 12:20pm AEDT
• Race 4: 12:50pm AEDT
• Race 5: 1:25pm AEDT
• Race 6: 2.00pm AEDT
• Race 7: 2:35pm AEDT
• Race 8: 3.10pm AEDT
• Race 9: 3.45pm AEDT
• Race 10: 4.25pm AEDT