Steady light rain, which fell on the track during and in the lead up to the meeting, caused the racing surface to become slippery and unsafe.
That left officials with no option to abandon the rest of today’s races, stipendiary steward Mark Davidson said.
During the first race on the Otago Racing Club’s nine race programme Sir Ed ridden by apprentice Corey Campbell was seen to slip when leaving the home straight with approximately 1800m left to run in the 2200m race.
After the event, which was won by Shezatoucher and rider Kylie Williams, several jockeys expressed concern about the safety of the track, Davidson said.
After a track inspection stewards were left with no option but to call off the remaining eight races.
‘’Clearly that horse slipped badly in the first [race],’’ Davidson said.
‘’I would also add that it was not negotiating the bend the best, but it should not have slipped that badly.’’
‘’When we got back several other riders expressed concern that their mounts had moved or moved slightly in the ground. ‘’
‘’With the continuing misty drizzle after a track inspection where the clear slip marks are evident were never in a position to be able to continue the meeting.’’
