Saturday’s Derby and Oaks tests at Lingfield Park were switched to the all-weather track surface following waterlogging.
Thunderstorms and 23.2mm of rain fell at the venue on Tuesday, leading to a runway inspection on Wednesday morning, which subsequently failed.
Saturday’s valuable undercard, which includes the Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes, Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes and Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes, has been made up, although all existing entries will be canceled and the races will reopen for new entries until midday. Thursday May 11.
Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking and Charlie Appleby’s Military Order were among the short-settled entrants for the Classics at Epsom next month.
A BHA statement said: “A BHA inspection of the pitch on Wednesday morning found that the grass track was unrunable due to waterlogging.
“It is considered unlikely that conditions have improved enough by Saturday to allow racing to take place on grass safely.
“Therefore, also taking into account the weather forecast suggesting more rain, the BHA has made the decision to resurface at this time to offer certainty to the connections to confirm their operating plans.
“The racing programme, which includes the Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes, the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes and the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes, will remain as scheduled, with the Oaks and Derby trials being run in 1m4f instead of 1m3f133y.”
