GENERAL storm activity forced Racing Victoria stewards to abandon the popular Port Fairy race day after three races at Warrnambool on Thursday.
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RV chairman of stewards Tom Moxon said it was disappointing to abandon the meeting but safety for jockeys and horses was paramount.
“We had lightning when horses were going out onto the track for the fourth race but they came back in before the running of the race,” Loxon said.
“We spoke to the weather bureau and they said more lightning, rain and thunder were forecast. With it being a twilight meeting it was going to get too late in the day for the final five races to be run.”
Warrnambool Racing Club CEO Peter Downs said the abandonment was a shame because a good crowd was in attendance.
“The weather is out of our control,” Downs said. “We had a good crowd in. The Port Fairy people got right behind the day. Last year we had 80 people booked for meals in the Matilda Room but this year we had 220 booked in. The last five races were very strong fields with the Port Fairy Cup an excellent field.”
Downs said the club will speak to Racing Victoria on Friday, regarding running the $45,000 Port Fairy Cup at its next meeting on Tuesday, December 12.
