Fixtures cancelled and amended following extreme heat forecast
THE heatwave predicted for southern areas of England on Tuesday then the majority of the United Kingdom on Wednesday and Thursday has led to a number of cancellations and alterations to the sisracing.tv greyhound schedule.
With the record UK June temperature of 35.6°C expected to be broken this week and a rare Met Office Red Extreme Heat Warning in place, Valley has called off Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon fixtures, while neither Harlow (morning and evening) and Doncaster (afternoon) will race on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Wednesday morning meeting at Kilkenny in Ireland has been brought forward with the first race now due at 10.11am.
Richard Brankley, Head of Greyhound Operations for SIS, said: “We have been working with our track partners in the UK and Ireland to amend this week’s racing schedule in light of the predicted high temperatures and we will of course continue to closely monitor developments.”
The GBGB has a policy in place to cover such circumstances and Veterinary Executive Tiffany Blackett said: “With high temperatures predicted this week, particularly in the south, we have already received several notifications of race cancellations in line with GBGB’s Hot Weather Policy.
“All tracks are implementing measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of greyhounds during this period of hot weather and we are very grateful for their proactive approach – particularly the early communication of cancellations, which helps ensure trainers do not make unnecessary journeys and can focus on keeping their dogs cool at home at their residential kennels.
“We remain in close liaison with racecourses to ensure they are fully prepared for the peak temperatures expected in the coming days and that they continue to meet all Policy requirements.”