Racing NSW stewards invoke Hot Weather Policy to ensure horse and jockey welfare

Racing NSW stewards put in place Hot Weather Policy Level 2 for Randwick’s The Ingham meeting to ensure horse and jockey welfare.

Racing NSW Hot Weather Policy Level 2 will be in place for Randwick’s The Ingham meeting on Saturday.

Chief steward Steve Railton says Saturday’s Ingham Stakes Day at Randwick isn’t in danger due to Sydney’s heatwave conditions.

And members of the NSW trainers association (NSWTA) are fully supportive of the meeting proceeding with additional measures in place to ensure “horse and jockey welfare are at the forefront of considerations”.

“The stewards have all the protocols in place and we are in full support that the meeting proceeds,” NSWTA CEO Richard Callander said.

“There’s no resistance from our trainers.”

Railton confirmed that the Racing NSW Hot Weather Policy Level 2 will be in place from the start of the meeting.

🚨Track Update 🚨#RoyalRandwick THE INGHAM Charity Raceday.

Track - Good 4
Rail- True
Weather - Hot 41 max ☀️
Irrigation last 24hrs - 4mm
Irrigation last 7 days - 22mm
Rainfall last 24hrs- Nil
Rainfall last 7 days - 23.3mm

🌤 ATC Weather Tracker: https://t.co/MeVV52IUM9pic.twitter.com/tSLBEulo6R

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) December 8, 2023

The Level 2 Policy reads; “In the event that the forecast or current ambient temperature for a race day is 38°C or above, or the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) shade is 28°C or above, Stewards must take advice from the official veterinarian/s in considering whether to proceed or modify the program for that race meeting.”

“We’ll monitor the temperatures and readings all day but we will be proceeding with all our welfare measures in place and we don’t envisage the meeting to be in any danger,” Railton said.

“Thirty-nine (°C) is the forecast high at around 2pm.”

Racing NSW stewards and the veterinary team have implemented additional measure for Saturday’s meeting to ensure the welfare of horses and participants are the forefront of the day.

“We have additional veterinary staff on, additional cooling systems all around the track,” Railton said.

“When the horses arrive on course they will be checked by veterinary staff and they will continue to be monitored.

“The horses will spend a reduced time in the parade ring and as soon as they get to the gates they will be loaded as quickly as it’s possible.

“After the races we have all the ice machines and vets ready to go when they are unsaddled and when they return to the stalls.

Horse and jockey welfare is paramount for Racing NSW.

“We’re even going as far as the horses will walk back to the stalls on the grass on the turf of the course proper as it’s not as hot as the path they would normally use to go back to the horse stalls.”

Railton and Callander both made the point that the temperature at the horse stalls is “three to four degrees cooler” that out in the direct sunlight.

“We are very fortunate to have what we have here at Randwick,” Railton said.

“It’s down under the car park, it’s quite comfortable, the horses are in full shade and we have the demisters down there over every stall.”

Railton also said the jockeys would also be given some leniency when it comes to riding weights due to the excessive heat.

“Jockeys will be monitored throughout the day,” he said. “We have a doctor in the jockeys’ room all day.

“Any jockey riding light that might seek an additional half-a-kilo to stay hydrated, we’d look on that favourably.”

You can keep up to date with weight and tactic changes on the Racing NSW website – www.racingnsw.com.au or the Racing NSW stewards twitter account @RNSWStewards.