04/02/2009

Racing NSW and Sydney Turf Club officials - after consultation with industry groups - today gave consideration to the conduct of the race meeting programmed for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 7th February 2009, in light of the weather bureau predictions of conditions in the very high to extreme temperature range.

Racing NSW chief executive, Mr Peter V'landys, said that after studying summer temperature patterns and giving the highest regard to OH&S requirements for riders and welfare issues for horses, it has been decided that the starting time of the race meeting be rescheduled from 1:10pm back to 2:30pm.

"This will allow most races to be conducted in the cooler part of the day," Mr V'landys said.

"All measures and safeguards, as outlined in Racing NSW's 'Policy for the Conduct of Racing in Hot Weather' will be in place at Rosehill Gardens including the requirement for horses to be on-course, being reduced from two hours to one hour because of the predicted conditions," Mr V'landys added.

Racing NSW and the Sydney Turf Club are confident that these measures will ensure that the race meeting of Saturday, 7th February 2009, can proceed safely and without interruption.

The new race times are as follows:-

Race 1: 2:30pm
Race 2: 3:10pm
Race 3: 3:50pm
Race 4: 4:30pm
Race 5: 5:10pm
Race 6: 5:48pm
Race 7: 6:24pm
Race 8: 6:59pm