Application of Hot Weather Policy - TAB Meetings
Application of Hot Weather Policy – TAB Meetings
In light of recent changes to the Hot Weather Policy the following should be noted as a practical overview of the process that GRSA follows with regard to scratchings without penalty and abandonment of meetings.
Trainers who have greyhounds engaged for racing on days with predicted hot weather may choose to scratch greyhounds from a given meeting without penalty wherein the predicted temperature at the time of scratching is 38 ̊ or hotter. Applications to scratch greyhounds under this policy must be made prior to the official scratching time and require that all nominated greyhounds for that trainer are scratched.
If the forecast temperature at the official scratching time is over 40 ̊, day and twilight meetings will be automatically cancelled if they cannot be transferred to a more suitable timeslot within a reasonable timeframe. Night meetings will continue as scheduled however, at the absolute discretion of the Integrity and Standards Manager and the Steward in Charge, those meetings may be delayed, cancelled or abandoned. Such decisions will take into account the opinion of the race meeting veterinarian.
When the forecast is 40 ̊ or lower at the official scratching time, all TAB meetings will be deemed to automatically proceed. Any decision to delay, cancel or abandon the meeting from that point will remain at the discretion of the Integrity and Standards Manager and the Steward in Charge. Under such circumstances it is normal practice for the welfare of greyhounds to be closely monitored prior to and during the course of the meeting by the veterinarian with feedback being advised to the stewards for their consideration.
The official reference for weather forecasts is the Bureau of Meteorology website (www.bom.gov.au) and links SA tracks with regional forecasts in accordance with the following:
Angle Park: Metropolitan forecast
Gawler: Elizabeth forecast
Strathalbyn: Strathalbyn forecast
Mount Gambier: Mount Gambier forecast
On a related note, can participants please note that tonight’s trial session at Angle Park has been cancelled.