Perth's final fixture of 2024 cancelled due to a waterlogged track

Tuesday's meeting at Perth has been cancelled due to a waterlogged track after a storm warning was put in place for the whole of Scotland.

Course officials had scheduled an inspection for 8.30am on Monday, but made an early decision with standing water on the home straight.

The track was hit by around 9mm of rain on Sunday, with more than 55mm falling during October. On Sunday a yellow warning for high winds gusting up to 60 mph was issued in Scotland, which was increased to amber in some parts of the country. 

Clerk of the course Matthew Taylor said: "We've had quite a lot of rain over the last 48 to 56 hours, which has left the home straight waterlogged and some false patches of ground. 

"We've had some strong winds and there's other damage on the track, with running rails and wings everywhere, but that's fixable. It's the home straight where there's a patch of ground you can't get round."

While there is obvious disappointment about losing the track's final fixture, Taylor has been pleased with how the year has gone.

"We've been a victim of our own success. We've had 100 more horses this year than last year and that's with 12 fixtures compared to 15, and it's taken its toll on the track," he added.

"We lost the final meeting last year and I hate losing it again and it's ended on a bit of a damp squib. But we've had great support, which we're really grateful for, and it's been an amazing summer."

With the seven-race card scrapped, Tuesday's action in Britain comprises afternoon fixtures at Yarmouth and Exeter followed by Newcastle.

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