Racing NSW has moved the major metropolitan meeting this week at Rosehill to Sunday, because of the predicted heatwave conditions in Sydney on Saturday.
Horse and participant welfare was put first by Racing NSW, with the change from the traditional Saturday afternoon expected to see a more than 20 per cent downturn in wagering.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said it was an easy decision to make and that other meetings around the state are also being monitored.
“The welfare of our horses is paramount and we’re not going to risk putting them under any sufferance or pain,” V’landys said.
“I have seen first-hand horses suffering from heat distress and there is no way in the world that we are going to put them under such duress.”
“I have also seen jockeys severely affected both physically and mentally from extreme heat.”
Saturday’s Newcastle meeting could also be moved because the heat policy with Racing NSW also concerned about horses travelling in the heat.
