nday, 1 January 2012:
Soaring temperatures have forced the Victoria Racing Club to alter starting times for Monday's holiday meeting at Flemington to avoid the heat.
Temperatures in Melbourne are forecast to reach 40 degrees forcing the VRC to bring forward the starting times in a bid to beat the hottest period of the day in the mid to late afternoon.
Racing Victoria and the VRC made the decision in the best interests of health, safety and well being of all horses, jockeys and industry participants.
The 7-race program will now commence at 11.50am with the final race scheduled for 3.20pm.
The meeting was originally scheduled to commence at 1.35pm and conclude at 5.15pm.
RV Integrity Services have also confirmed that in the interest of horse welfare, trainers will now be required to have their horses on course no later than one hour before the advertised start time of their race.
This decision is a waiving of the rule which normally requires horses to be on course no later than two hours before the advertised start time of their race.
Aside from the earlier start times, the remainder of the program is unchanged.
Tomorrow's meeting features the Listed Bagot Handicap and the Group 3 Standish Handicap.
The amended race times for Flemington are:
RACE 1: 11.50am
RACE 2: 12.25pm
RACE 3: 1.00pm
RACE 4: 1.35pm
RACE 5: 2.10pm
RACE 6: 2.45pm
RACE 7: 3.20pm
Courtesy of racing and Sports
For us up here don't forget to allow for Daylight savings. 
