Rain forces Racing Victoria to transfer Cranbourne’s Thursday meeting to Pakenham Synthetic

With more than 40mm of rain falling at Cranbourne since 9am yesterday and more on the way, Racing Victoria has made an early call to transfer Thursday’s meeting to Pakenham’s synthetic track.

Thursday’s Cranbourne meeting has been transferred to Pakenham’s synthetic track. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

Ongoing rain has rendered the Cranbourne track unsuitable for racing, with Racing Victoria moving Thursday’s meeting to the synthetic track at Pakenham.

More than 40mm has fallen at Cranbourne since 9am Monday, with rain expected to continue today and a chance of showers tomorrow.

Racing Victoria said as a result of the transfer, the scheduled 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate and Benchmark 62 Handicap had been reduced to 1200m, with the Benchmark 58 Handicap also reduced to 2200m.

Racing Victoria advises that the meeting scheduled for Cranbourne this Thursday, 18 July has been transferred to the Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic track.@SthsideRacinghttps://t.co/3wvLRMTAjv

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) July 15, 2024

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“In addition, field limits have been reduced to 12 for six races, with a field limit of 11 in place for the two 1600m races – a Maiden Plate and BM64 Handicap,” a Racing Victoria statement said.

“Acceptances for the transferred meeting have been extended until 11am today with riders to be declared by 2pm.

“Trainers who had accepted for the Cranbourne meeting, but do not wish to start their horse at the Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic meeting are requested to withdraw it by 11am today.”

Originally published as Rain forces Racing Victoria to transfer Cranbourne’s Thursday meeting to Pakenham Synthetic