One of Australia’s most prestigious race days, the opening of The Championships, has been postponed after wild weather left Randwick Racecourse unsafe to compete on. Stewards announced it was too risky to race on the wet surface after an early inspection at around 9.30am Saturday morning, disappointing the 25,000 punters officials expected to show. Under normal circumstances the Australian Turf Club would've been packed with punters dressed to the nines scrambling for a seat, but as early racegoers Susie Pleasance and Helen Quarrel learned, the field was absolutely empty. Racegoers Susie Pleasance and Helen Quarrel got to the field early and were disappointed to find an empty track . With a logistical nightmare on their hands, officials opted to move the $10 million program to Monday allowing racegoers to use the ticket they purchased for the Saturday event. Ticket-holders who won't be able to make Monday's event will be giving the option of receiving a refund . Chief steward Ray Murrihy said officials could’nt be confident they could get through the whole meeting after the turf took on so much rain. "We galloped two horses on it at six o'clock this morning and have had 25 millimetres since.’ "The surface was water logged and the radar was horrendous. We might have got through one or two, but to get through 10 races with big fields would have been a miracle so we will wait for Monday,’ he added. With grey clouds hanging over the track and no sign of rain easing officials said the the turf was too dangerous to compete on . The Championships opening day has been moved to Monday with punters being given the option of a refund if they don't want to attend the event at the revised time . The Warwick Farm card is unable to go ahead on Monday and will be moved to Wednesday, with the Wednesday program being totally abandoned. The gourmet food and wine event launched at last years Championships called Little Sydney will not go ahead on Monday with ticket-holders being offered a full refund. There is some good news for three-year-old superstars Sweynesse and Kermadec who will now be elevated into the $3 million Doncaster Mile after reports that all scratching’s will be restored. Official's are unsure if the 25,000 punters expected to show on Saturday will return for the Monday event .
The opening of The Championships have been delayed after heavy rain .
The $10 million program will be moved to Monday instead .
Punters will be able to use tickets they purchased for the Saturday event .
Monday's Warrick Farm card will be moved to Wednesday .
While the Wednesday program has been completely abandoned .