Big Dry Forces Adelaide Meeting Transfer for Saturday
- Wednesday, 22 January 2003 00:00
The eight event card was to have been held at the near city course (Victoria Park) but a decision was made late yesterday to shift the card to Cheltenham.
Thoroughbred Racing South Australian (TRSA) racing manager Ian Hart said a hard track and the forecast of an extremely hot day on Saturday were the main reasons behind the move.
It is understood some trainers who had runners at Victoria Park last weekend were a little concerned about the state of the track saying some horses had pulled up a little "proppy."
"The main concern is over the hardness of the (Victoria Park) track," Hart said today. "And the irrigation at the track is not as advanced as our other tracks."
Hart said early predictions of a maxium temperature on Saturday of a staggering 41 degrees was the finaliser.
"You also must look at the patrons as well," Hart told Cyberhorse. "Cheltenham is much more user friendly on days of extreme heat."
Officials telephoned every trainer for runners at the meeting to advise of the shift and news of changes to the distances of six races.
"The (distance) changes shouldn't really impact on the meeting too much," Hart added. "I know one trainer was not happy about us changing one of the distances, but we just amended them to the closest possible distance."
There will be no requirements to shift further meetings away from Victoria Park in the near future as that track isn't due to host a race meeting until Anzac Day.
The following distance changes are advised:
- $24,000 Open Handicap - 1822m (was 2000m)
- $22,000 Fillies and Mares Handicap - 1466m (was 1500m)
- $22,000 Three-Year-Old Handicap - 1316m (was 1300m)
- $20,000 Two-Year-Old Handicap - 1000m (unchanged)
- $20,000 Special Conditions Handicap - 1416m (was 1400m)
- $20,000 Class 6 Handicap - 1266m (was 1250m)
- $15,000 Class Four Handicap - 1000m (unchanged)
- $15,000 3&4YO Class Three Handicap - 1466m (was 1600m)
