Racing: 45C weather forecast forces day's delay

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Racing Queensland officials have acted on weather bureau advice in moving today's Ipswich race meeting to tomorrow.

Chief steward Wade Birch said it had been hoped Ipswich could go ahead today with the usual precautions in place.

But advice from the bureau that temperatures would reach 45C has forced a switch.

"It is the first time I can remember a meeting in southeast Queensland being moved because of the heat," Birch said. "But we have said all along human and horse safety has to be a paramount," he said.

The Gold Coast's Goldmarket meeting will go ahead with 35C forecast.

"We will be putting safety precautions such as extra vets on course, extra water, hoses and ice into place," Birch said. "The usual humidity tests will also be in place.

"There will also be changes to the times horses must be on course and enter the saddling enclosure."

The Ipswich shift means southeast Queensland will have two Sunday race meetings and 11 jockeys have been double booked for Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast. "Jockeys have been given the choice of where they ride," Birch said.

The Toowoomba meeting today isn't in doubt because of a later start time but stewards will be monitoring nearby Bell which is expecting 42C.

- AAP