Extreme heat forces Guineas reschedule

The Australian Guineas meeting has been brought forward by 90 minutes because of predicted extreme heat.

After discussions with the Victoria Racing Club, Racing Victoria has decided to start the meeting at 10.55am with the last race at 3.20pm.

The program was originally scheduled to start at 12.25pm with last at 5.20pm.

The Australian Guineas will be run at 2.45pm, instead of 4.40pm, after the Bureau of Meteorology forecast a maximum of 36 degrees on Saturday at Flemington.

Under RV's racing in hot weather policy, gaps between races have been cut from 35 and 40 minutes to 30 and 35 minutes.

Horses will not have to be on course until two hours before their scheduled races instead of three because of welfare interests.

Under RV's hot weather policy, an extra vet will be on course to monitor the condition of horses.

Large containers of ice water will be placed around the course and horses will be required in the mounting yard for reduced periods of time.

The VRC, which will stage three glamour meetings over the next three weekends, will place misting fans in the horse stabling areas.

Extra staff will be used to assist with equine welfare in the stalls area.

The updated race times are as follows:

RACE TIME

Race 1 - Very Special Kids Plate 1000m 10.55am

Race 2 - 3AW Roy Higgins Quality 2600m 11.25am

Race 3 - ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap 1000m 11.55am

Race 4 - Mittys Handicap 1100m 12.25pm

Race 5 - Seppelt Wines Plate 1400m 1pm

Race 6 - The TAB Shaftesbury Avenue 1400m 1.35pm

Race 7 - Blamey Stakes 1600m 2.10pm

Race 8 - Australian Guineas 1600m 2.45pm

Race 9 - Furphy Frances Tressady Stakes 1400m 3.20pm

The Swan Hill meeting tomorrow (Friday) will start at 11am - two hours earlier than scheduled - with the last at 2.45pm because of the expected 39 degree conditions.

Tomorrow's night meeting at The Valley will go ahead as scheduled, however, horses will be required on course one hour before to their race instead of two hours.