THE commendable, but difficult, decision to hold off on this meeting was made by the MTC stewards today (Monday). They have put the horses first which is the right thing to do.

The decision was reached because of unsuitable going. Soaring temperatures in Harare have undermined attempts to irrigate and improve the going. The penetrometer reading at the October 20 meeting was 15 – firm to hard – and conditions during this week are unlikely to change for the better.

At this stage it is not clear whether this race meeting has been cancelled or postponed. More details later.