Tuesday card at Folkestone abandoned – Horseracing Update
All the scheduled races for Tuesday, February 14 at Folkestone horseracing course have been abandoned due to below freezing temperature coupled with heavy frost.
By the last night, clerk of the course, Neil Mackenzie, was greatly hopeful of hosting all the competitions as per schedule, as the metrological department had forecasted showers. After inspecting the venue yesterday, he reiterated to make another inspection
at 7:30 on Tuesday before finally announcing the card.
While speaking to the media on Monday, Mackenzie said, “While the rain has not started yet we feel it would be prudent to check again in the morning as some rain could transform conditions which will speed up the thawing process. It is due to remain above
freezing tonight with the temperature at 3C so the slow thaw should continue."
When the final inspection was undertaken on today morning, the track was not ready for race at all. Thus, the clerk had to abandon the entire card.
The discarded contests are not likely to be rescheduled as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has not announced any make-up programme yet. Already, the BHA has moved last Saturday’s card to the coming Friday.
Continuous snow falls and the resultant below freezing temperature have been adversely disrupting the racing routines since last couple of months. However, the British Met office has revealed that the weather is expected to remain normal throughout this
week due to rain.
A Met official told, “There will be rain around at times over the next few days and right the way through to the weekend, apart from in parts of Scotland, it is expected to remain above freezing.”
If these predictions do not turn to be true, the cards of rest of the week will also keep tumbling. This is a matter of grave concerns for the bookmakers who have staked huge sums of money on the races.
If this killing wave of cold across the Europe continues for a month more, the horseracing schedule for 2012 will bear the huge burnt. It seems that the races are at the weather’s mercy this year. This has become too disgusting for the trainers, owners,
organisers and clerks alike.
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