Since the middle of December, the track has been saturated by over 250 millimetres (10 inches) of rain with further showers falling in the days leading up to the program.

Officials inspected the track prior to race day and advised the course proper was holding up extremely well to the recent soaking by assigning a heavy nine rating for the circuit.

The confidence was soon dampened with a further downpour late into the afternoon and early evening and the unsuitable racecourse conditions together with the prospect of continued heavy downpours throughout the day causing visibility issues for the jockeys provided the catalyst for the postponement of the program.

Port Macquarie Race Club president, Greg Delaforce, was philosophical about the deferment of the meeting due to the atrocious weather conditions and would like to acknowledge the continued support provided by Haralec Solar Power Specialists, Stowe Electrical and Barbers on Murray

It is anticipated the partnership with the club will be continued with racing fixtures later in the season.

With rain forecast to clear in the next couple of days, the stage is set for a strong day of racing action at Port Macquarie on Friday, January 8 with $176,000 prizemoney on offer and full TAB and SKY Racing coverage.

Nominations for the fixture close next Monday at 11am with a reminder that one of the club's feature meetings will be conducted on Friday, January 22 with an eight-event program highlighted by the $60,000 Queen of the North Handicap.

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