For Immediate Release, Thursday 19 December 2019 Races To Go Ahead Despite Extreme Heat Conditions – CPR condemns decision by Racing Victoria and Racing South Australia This Friday is predicted to reach 45 degrees in South Australia and 42 degrees in Victoria yet three race meets will still go ahead. “We strongly condemn the decision made by both states to go ahead with Friday’s race meets in soaring temperatures” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “Horses are already being pushed well beyond their limits, with one killed on the racetrack every three days. Add high temperatures to that and you are highly likely to see horses suffering from heat stress which can be fatal” Mr Celotto said. Both states have made token efforts to address concerns including the races being brought forward at Yarra Valley and an extra vet on staff at Morphettville. “Yarra Valley will still see horses being pushed well beyond their limits and beaten with a whip in the early hours of the afternoon when temperatures will already be in the high 30’s. Morphettville will still be in the high 30’s when their evening races kick off, and whilst temperatures are predicted to start dropping the relative humidity is set to rise significantly. This is a recipe for disaster and absolutely unacceptable, but not surprising for an industry who treats horses as disposable objects” Mr Celotto said. “Whenever there is predicted extreme heat all horse racing should be cancelled immediately.” CPR will have volunteers on the ground at the tracks monitoring the conditions and documenting the horses who are very likely to suffer heat stress. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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