Racing Victoria has postponed a midweek metropolitan meeting at Sandown Lakeside by 24 hours due to forecast extreme heat.
The twilight fixture, originally set for Wednesday January 7, will now be run on Thursday January 8.
The move follows predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology of temperatures reaching 41 degrees in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon.
Conditions are expected to ease on Thursday, with a forecast maximum of 31 degrees.
Officials said the decision was made to protect the welfare of horses and participants.
Alternative venues were considered, but high temperatures across much of Victoria ruled out a relocation.
The Sandown meeting will remain a twilight event, with the first race at 4pm and the last at 7.30pm.
Races will be run at 30-minute intervals.
Thursday’s Sale meeting will now run earlier, starting at midday and finishing at 3.30pm.
Acceptances for Sandown have been deferred to Tuesday morning.
