Wind Causes Havoc at Moonee Valley

Wednesday, 18 September 2002 00:00

For the second consecutive meeting the Melbourne metropolitan meeting has been hampered by gale force winds.

Like it did at Sandown on Sunday, the strong winds have blown over parts of the running rail.

Horses were on their way to the barrier for the second race when about 80 metres of rail collapsed about 200 metres from the start.

While that section of the rail was being fixed another section came apart further down the track.

Track staff used heavy sand bags to hold down the movable rail, the main problem section on the 1000 metre chute.

A jockey delegation led by the city’s best Damien Oliver consulted with stewards and they decided the race would be run about 45 minutes later than scheduled.

All following races were put back one event. The last event has been scheduled for 5.35pm (Melbourne time).