Saturday's Derby Trial card at Lingfield has been transferred from the waterlogged turf course to the venue's all-weather track, the British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Wednesday.
The area has been subject to heavy rainfall, with more in the forecast, which resulted in Lingfield officials and the BHA moving the races off the turf course. Carded that day are the G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. and the Listed Oaks Trial Fillies' S., as well as the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial. The latter pair will be contested over 1 1/2 miles, instead of a half-furlong short of the Classic distance because of the surface switch.
A statement from the BHA said, “The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that Saturday's card at Lingfield Park will be staged on the all-weather.
“A BHA inspection of the course on Wednesday morning found the turf track to be unraceable due to waterlogging.
“It is considered unlikely that conditions will have improved sufficiently by Saturday to allow any races to take place on the turf safely.
“Therefore, also taking into account the weather forecast suggesting further rain, the BHA has made the decision to switch the surface at this time to offer certainty for connections to confirm their running plans.”
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