Great Western Racing Club manager Penny Penfold said the race schedule has been moved forward due to the extreme heat forecast but all other planned activities would remain the same.

“It does not impact the events and schedule for the day, everything is going ahead as planned,” she said.

“It changes the start time and finish time for races but everything else remains the same.”

With the first race moved forward, Penfold said the day’s schedule had been moved forward to accommodate the changes.

“Gates will now open at 10am with the bar opening at 10.30am, prior to the first race at 10.58am,” she said.

“The $30,000 Seppelt Great Western Cup will be raced at 12.58pm.”

Penfold said the children’s entertainment will still be there with a variety of activities planned.

“Kris Humphrey will have quite a good mix of Australian native animals, so the children have an opportunity to interact and engage with the animals and learn about them,” she said.

“The boar race heats will be run as scheduled with the final be run just prior to the cup.

“Fashions on the field will go ahead as planned with the judging to start after 11am while The Voice 2012 winner Jimmy Cupples still scheduled to perform two sets throughout the day.”

The club is also happy with the quality of the racing expected across the day.

Penfold said it was positive to see lots of runners from the region in action on the day.

“Terry O’Sullivan and Darren Weir have multiple runners across the day which is pelasing,” she said.

“We have received great support from everyone out here which has been great.”

The community buses will also still run but with the earlier race times, both the Stawell and Ararat buses will leave from the respective town halls at 10am and leave Great Western at 4.30pm.

The Halls Gap buses have been cancelled, due to lack of numbers requiring the service. 

For more information on the day, contact the club on 0418 124 289.