Heat forces Moonee Valley race meeting to be delayed until early Saturday evening

MELBOURNE’S blazing temperatures have forced racing officials to delay the start of today’s Moonee Valley meeting until 5.50pm.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Nicholas Hall riding Every Faith turns into the home straight before winning Race 3, during Melbourne Racing at Moonee Valley Racecourse on December 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE’S blazing temperatures have forced racing officials to delay the start of today’s Moonee Valley meeting until the cooler evening slot, with the first race put back until 5.50pm.

The heat policy dictated that it was too hot (with temperatures in the 40s) to start at the already recast time of 4.35pm AEDT.

The second race will be run at 6.25pm, the third at 6.57pm and the fourth at 7.30pm, with 30-minute intervals from then on until the last race at 9.30pm.

Racing Victoria said it was imperative to avoid the heat in the interests of horses and participants, as well as the public.