Officials at Newcastle have been forced to call off their meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday due to a waterlogged track.
Forecast of heavy rain forces early abandonment
Officials have been forced to abandon Tuesday's meeting at Newcastle due to a waterlogged track.
Clerk of the course James Armstrong was forced to call an inspection on Friday morning after 81 millimetres of rain fell at the track so far this month.
With the ground already heavy and waterlogged in places, Armstrong was left with little option but to abandon as more rain is forecast over the next few days.
"We only raced last Saturday when we had 73 runners on ground that was soft, heavy in places. Some of the jockeys were saying it was heavy then and we've had another inch of rain since" said Armstrong.
"We moved a mile and a quarter of rails earlier in the week to provide fresh ground and we have tinkered with our race distances and safety factors to try to help.
Poor Condition
"We're in poor condition at the moment and at least now everyone knows where they stand.
"We can't see things improving enough even if it stayed dry and we are forecast a lot more rain between now and Tuesday, so that doesn't help.
"I couldn't see this happening two or three weeks ago, we were crying out for rain for out last two jumps fixtures.
"Suddenly the rain has come and it hasn't stopped. Unfortunately, but you can't beat the weather" he added.
