The Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap, initially slated for a post-sunset run on an unilluminated stretch of the track, has been rescheduled to feature on Saturday's racing card at Newcastle.
The race, covering a distance of 10 furlongs, was originally set to commence at 5:05 pm, a time perilously close to Newcastle's sunset, occurring just before 5 pm.
In a joint announcement, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Arena Racing Company (ARC) disclosed the race's postponement, necessitated by the realisation that it would unfold amidst dwindling light. The absence of floodlights along the track's curved section deemed it unsafe to proceed as planned. According to the BHA's General Instructions, it is prohibited advancing race times earlier than advertised, considerations encompassing the betting public, regulations, safety, and logistics weighed heavily.
Despite exploring alternative solutions, the prudent choice was to defer the race to a later date. The BHA promptly contacted the connections of the 10 declared runners, expressing apologies for the inconvenience and extending reimbursement to cover any expenses incurred in anticipation of the original schedule.
Declarations will stand, and non-runners will face no penalties. The BHA expressed remorse for any ensuing confusion and affirmed its commitment to identifying and rectifying the cause of the issue to avert its recurrence.
Brian Ellison, the trainer of the highly regarded Explorers Way, voiced understanding regarding the circumstances and highlighted that even if he had made a similar error, the consequences would have been more severe, whereas the impact on his team would have been minimal in this case.