RACING Victoria stewards have been forced to change the distance of a benchmark 58 race for Warrnambool’s race meeting on Thursday after 91-millimetres of rain have fallen on the course over the last six days.
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Steward James Hitchcock inspected the course on Monday and was surprised how well the track is following so much heavy rain.
“We’re changing the distance of the benchmark 58 race from 1200-metres to 1100-metres,” Hitchcock said. “Considering how much rain has fallen in such a short time the track is in pretty good condition.
“The track rating will be a heavy ten but it’s going to be safe for racing. The weather bureau are only forecasting the odd shower over the next few days.
“I would say the worst part of the weather is behind us.”
Warrnambool Racing Club racecourse manager Daniel Lumsden said the 91-millimetres of rain had fallen on the back of 120-millimetres of rain in May.
“We’ve had a lot of rain since the start of May,” Lumsden said. “It’s going to be a very heavy track but it’ll be safe. The running rail will be out nine-metres for the entire circuit.”
Eight races are scheduled for the meeting.