Dunstall Park, Yarmouth, Central Park and Oxford off as cold snap bites
The cold weather is starting to play havoc on the fixture list, with the Arc Cesarewitch heats now moved to next Saturday
Cold weather forcing abandonments
Dunstall Park has called off Saturday night’s meeting after snow and persistent low temperatures.
Racing manager Martin Seal said: “We had at light dusting of snow at Dunstall Park, where temperatures dropped to -3 overnight.
“The covers have done their job for the most part, but with similar numbers expected from early evening, it was deemed prudent to draw stumps and give everyone, including those with long journeys, plenty of notice.
“In all likelihood, the majority of the card will be transferred to Thursday’s card.”
Earlier, Yarmouth called off their afternoon fixture as the cold snap also bared its teeth on the east coast.
Racing manager Lee Smith said: “The track is good to race on but it’s the persistent new snow that’s coming down that is fighting against us.
“Trackstaff have done a good job and will continue to work the track this afternoon in the hope it can be prepared for tomorrow’s meeting.
“Simon (Franklin, Yarmouth promoter) will return with the head groundsman to assess the situation at 5am tomorrow.”
*CENTRAL PARK has also cancelled its scheduled meeting tonight, which was due to include heats of the Arc Cesarewitch. These will now take place on Saturday (January 10).
A statement from the track said: "Despite our team's best efforts, tonight's fixture has been abandoned. The racing surface has started to freeze over following the removal of covers."
*OXFORD cancelled its meeting after an inspection this afternoon.
A statement from the track said: "Following a third course inspection . . . the decision has been made to abandon tonight's meeting due to a drop in temperature and freezing in certain places."
