Racing Victoria and the Mansfield District Racing Club have cancelled Saturday’s picnic race meeting at Mansfield due to extreme bushfire conditions in the surrounding region.
The decision comes after Mansfield was issued with an extreme fire danger rating, along with a “Watch and Act – Leave Now” advisory published on the VIC Emergency website in response to the nearby Longwood fire.
While the Mansfield township has not been directly affected, a number of major roads have been closed, including the Maroondah Highway between Merton and Maindample, significantly restricting access to the area.
Racing Victoria confirmed the meeting was abandoned due to safety concerns, with volunteers and staff unable to attend under the prevailing conditions.
“While Mansfield has not been directly impacted, the conditions and road closures present significant risks,” Racing Victoria said in a statement. “The decision was made in the best interests of all involved.”
Picnic racecourses at Alexandra, Yea and Merton are also located within the bushfire zone, with Racing Victoria indicating it will assess any flow-on impacts to the wider picnic racing program in due course.
Meanwhile, Racing NSW has confirmed that Saturday’s Kembla Grange meeting will proceed as scheduled, with the first race set for 12.55pm and the final event at 4.40pm.
