SOARING temperatures experienced across the country have forced Mashonaland Turf Club (MTC) to put on hold their racing activities for the good of the horses.

According to horse racing analysist Sheldene Chant, this is a noble decision by MTC as it puts the health of the horses first.

“The commendable, but difficult, decision to hold off on this meeting was made by the MTC stewards on Monday. They have put the horses first which is the right thing to do. The decision was reached because of unsuitable soaring temperatures in Harare which have undermined attempts to irrigate and improve the turf.

“The penetrometer reading at the October 20 meeting was (15) firm to hard and conditions during this week are unlikely to change for the better,” wrote Chant.

According to the racing manager Betina Gurajena, the Jacaranda Race that was set for yesterday was cancelled due to the condition of the course while maintenance works continue.

“Due to the condition of the course we see it not suitable for racing because it is hard, in view of that the 2 November race has been cancelled. However, course maintenance through irrigation continue while waiting for the state of the course to improve though I am not yet sure when that will be,” said Gurajena.

A total of seven events were set to be held on the day each carrying $30 000 in stakes money for taking away by the winner as well as the placed runners.

The main act of the day was the 1 200m Jacaranda Free Handicap race set for which four runners had already gone through some of the pre-race qualifying stages.

Less than six races are still outstanding on the calendar before the year 2019 comes to an end according to the programme pushed our early this year by MTC.