Ballarat meeting shifted to Geelong

Saturday 25 July 2015, 12:05pm

The final metropolitan meeting of the Victorian season has been transferred from Ballarat to the turf track at Geelong.

The Ballarat surface was already rated in the heavy range and given the bleak weather forecast, officials have decided to move the program.

The transfer has resulted in the meeting being reduced from eight races to six.

As Geelong doesn't hold jumps events the day's feature race, the Grand National Steeplechase, along with the JJ Houlahan Hurdle, will be rescheduled.

Racing Victoria will confirm the date and venue of the rescheduled jumps races on Monday but they are likely to be held at Ballarat on August 9.

The Ballarat track had received 71mm of rain in the past week and with rain and hail forecast on Saturday night officials felt it was unlikely to be suitable for racing.

Racing Victoria did consider moving the meeting to Warrnambool, however, there were no guarantees that track would be suitable to race on either.

Warrnambool was rated a heavy 10 following 8mm of overnight rain with more forecast before Sunday.

The transfer of the Ballarat meeting to Geelong will allow Damien Oliver and Craig Williams to continue their Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle.

The first race at Geelong will be at 1.31pm (AEST) with the rail in the true position.

– AAP

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