This Saturday's highly anticipated race meeting at Sydney's Rosehill Gardens has been officially postponed by a full day. The decision comes as weather authorities predict a severe and potentially dangerous heatwave set to sweep across the city.
Stewards Act on Scorching Forecast
Officials from Racing NSW have been closely watching the Bureau of Meteorology's predictions throughout the week. With the forecast stubbornly predicting temperatures in Sydney's west to soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the proactive move to shift the entire program to Sunday.
"We have reviewed that forecast again this morning and unfortunately, there hasn't been much of a variation to those forecasts," Moxon explained during an interview with Sydney's Sky Sports Radio. He confirmed the ten-race card would now run at the same venue, Rosehill Gardens, on Sunday, where conditions are expected to be far more manageable with a top in the mid to high 20s.
Logistical Reshuffle and Alternative Views
The late change requires careful logistical planning. Acceptances for the races were already taken on Wednesday as normal. The new challenge is to schedule the Rosehill race times around an existing provincial meeting at Hawkesbury, which remains set for Sunday.
"We're mindful we already have a Hawkesbury meeting scheduled for Sunday also, so we will have to organise times for Rosehill around that Hawkesbury meeting," Moxon stated.
Not everyone agreed with the postponement ahead of the final call. Racing legend Gai Waterhouse voiced a strong alternative opinion on social media, questioning the need to delay. "Boy oh boy what has gone wrong?" Waterhouse posted. "Are we and our equine leaders so weak that we/they can't cope in the heat? Hello, we live in a 'sunburnt country'. Start the races at 9.30-10am so that they're over before the heat of the day."
Welfare First, Other Meetings Proceed
Despite the criticism, the governing body stood firm on its duty of care. NSW racing chief executive Peter V'Landys emphasised that the welfare of horses, jockeys, and all track staff was the paramount concern behind the postponement.
The extreme heat is also expected to hit Sydney on Friday. However, Moxon confirmed the twilight race card at Randwick Kensington would proceed as planned, as it is scheduled for the cooler evening period. A country race meeting in Mudgee on Friday will also go ahead, with officials continuing to monitor conditions there.
The rescheduled Rosehill meeting promises a full day of action, albeit 24 hours later than originally planned, ensuring safety remains the number one priority in the face of Australia's fierce summer elements.
