The heat was rescheduled after the meeting at Murtoa was abandoned on Saturday, October 6.

The race will retain the 1600m distance and $50,000 in prize money, as originally scheduled.

Stewards inspected the track at Murtoa following the running of race two and were not satisfied with the condition of the track, electing to abandon the meeting in the interests of horse and rider safety.

Following discussions with Murtoa-Marma Racing Club, Racing Victoria has also announced the remaining races at the abandoned meeting, including the Murtoa Cup, will not be rescheduled.

Racing Victoria’s racing operations manager Josh Grimwood said it was important to reprogram the lost heat.

“This was the only chance Wimmera trainers had to secure their place in the final at Flemington on Oaks Day,” he said.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series features eight $50,000 heats to be run across country Victorian tracks, concluding with a $200,000 Benchmark 80 final over 1600 metres on November 8 2018, being Kennedy Oaks Day at Flemington.

Two trainers from Stawell qualified for the final at Flemington in 2017.

Doug Whitworth trained horse I Am The Dark stormed home to victory to win at Murtoa, while Paul Jones’ Barry the Baptist claimed victory at Hamilton.