Scorching temperatures forecast for Victoria have forced Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) to cancel four race meetings and adjust three more under its hot weather policy.
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting extreme heat across Victoria in the coming days, GRV has made changes to its upcoming racing calendar to prioritise greyhound welfare.
These adjustments are in line with GRV’s Hot Weather Policy, which has been in place since 2015 and was most recently updated in September 2025.
The following meetings have been cancelled due to forecast conditions:
- The Meadows – Wednesday 7, January
- Shepparton – Thursday, 8 January
- Healesville – Friday, 9 January
- Bendigo – Friday, 9 January
The following meetings have been transferred:
- Sale (7 January) – changed from a Day meeting to a Morning meeting
- Bendigo (7 January) – changed from Twilight to a Morning Meeting
- Ballarat changed from a Night meeting on January 7 to a Day meeting on January 8
A race meeting is declared Hot Weather-Affected when the forecast maximum temperature at the track location is 32°C or higher at any point during the day.
When this occurs, the following measures are implemented:
- Air-conditioned race kennels open 30 minutes earlier than standard kennelling times
- Participants may scratch greyhounds penalty-free
- Greyhounds must be transported in air-conditioned cars, vans or trailers
- No pre-race parading of greyhounds
- Post-race cooling procedures include hosing, access to water (standard practice), and a minimum 15-minute recovery period in air-conditioned kennels
If temperatures reach 35°C, Stewards are required to monitor the venues weather station five minutes prior to each race. Should the temperature exceed 38°C, the race and/or entire meeting will be postponed or abandoned.
GRV will continue to closely monitor conditions and provide updates as required.
GRV’s Hot Weather Policy can be found here.
