Avoca Cup ‘abandoned’ due to severe weather forecast

Heavy rain and flood warnings have resulted in Avoca Cup being scratched, but horses still have a chance to compete elsewhere.

Pyrenees landmark racing event of the season, the Avoca Cup, was called off on Wednesday afternoon.

The race day was slated for October 15 but heavy rains and the threat of flooding in regional areas around the state has prompted Racing Victoria to make the announcement.

It released a statement just after lunchtime.

“With up to 85mm of rains forecast and possible flooding in the region over coming days, an early decision was made to abandon the meeting in the interests of horse and participant welfare,” it said.

Riders and owners will be offered slots at other tracks this weekend.

“Trainers with horses entered at Avoca can enter as extended entries to Bendigo and Wodonga (on Saturday) until 4pm today,” the statement said.

“Normal entries to Kilmore and Horsham (on Sunday) until 4pm today.”

Trainers will also be able to get into the Mornington racetrack for Monday and Casterton on Tuesday until 10am tomorrow.

Racing Victoria also indicated that it would continue to assess the weather forecasts affecting its other tracks over the next few days.