Heat concerns force Ipswich races move

Friday 3 January 2014, 11:05am

Racing Queensland officials have acted on weather bureau advice in moving Saturday's Ipswich race meeting to Sunday.

Chief steward Wade Birch said it had been hoped Ipswich could go ahead on Saturday with the usual precautions in place.

But advice from the bureau that temperatures would reach 45C has forced a switch.

"It is the first time I can remember a meeting in south-east Queensland being moved because of the heat," Birch said.

"But we have said all along human and horse safety has to be a paramount," he said.

The Gold Coast's Goldmarket meeting will go ahead with 35C forecast.

"We will be putting safety precautions such as extra vets on course, extra water, hoses and ice into place," Birch said.

"The usual humidity tests will also be in place.

"There will also be changes to the times horses must be on course and enter the saddling enclosure."

The Ipswich shift means south-east Queensland will have two Sunday race meetings and 11 jockeys have been double booked for Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.

"Jockeys have been given the choice of where they ride," Birch said.

The Toowoomba meeting on Saturday isn't in doubt because of a later start time but stewards will be monitoring nearby Bell which is expecting 42C.

– AAP

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