Racing NSW made the decision early on Monday morning with temperatures tomorrow predicted to hit 44 degrees.

Southern District’s chief steward John Davidson said it was an easy decision to make with the welfare of horses and industry participants paramount.

“Stewards had no hesitation in calling the meeting off with temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees,” Davidson said.

“It is a welfare issue and you can’t possibly race in such conditions.

“Especially with Corowa being such an open track with very little shade available.”

Davidson said importantly for industry participants the meeting had been re-scheduled to Thursday with fields and barriers remaining the same.

The seven-race card has also been bought forward with the first race scheduled for 10.15am and the last at 1.45pm.

“Rather than abandon the meeting, Racing NSW in its wisdom decided to re-schedule to Thursday to ensure racing participants aren’t out of pocket,” he said.

“The forecast for Thursday is four to five degrees cooler.

“And we scheduled the races to start earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day which is forecast to be a 3pm.

“We will still take extra precautions with more hoses available and an extra vet on course.

“The pre-race parade will also be abandoned so the horses are exposed to the heat for the least amount of time as possible.”

Davidson said the last time the SDRA was forced to re-schedule a meeting due to the heat policy was a non-TAB meeting at Tumut in February 2017.