An inspection of the Ararat racecourse has found it unsuitable for racing following a burst water main in the home straight.

Ararat was scheduled to race on Thursday, but Racing Victoria stewards deemed it unsuitable with the meeting transferred to Donald.

All scratchings already advised have been reinstated while there has been a number of distance changes on the eight race card.

Races two and six, over 1000m, have been increased to 1100m, races three and seven increased from 1300m to 1350m and races four and eight shortened from 1620m to 1600m.

Racing Victoria has also announced the transfer of the Ballarat meeting on April 2 to Bendigo.

The transfer will allow important works to be undertaken on the construction of the new Ballarat synthetic track which is scheduled to open in May.