How much does bad weather affect horses?

[Dirk Gently]

I've been pondering this question of late as this time of year often brings unstable weather. I've often noticed that a bad days punting sometimes coincides with unusual weather. I'd like to hear from some people in the industry how the following affects some horses differently to others:
Really hot weather
Gusty winds
Slippery surface on a "good" track
Stormy weather with thunder and lightning (vvf!)

I bet all over Oz and only on good or dead but its hard to know if conditions are comfortable for the horses when you're a couple of thousand kms away. Maybe I'll have to get on the weather website before deciding to bet on a certain track.

[darkydog2002]

Depends on the horse Dirk.
Every Horse and race is individual.
Jonti Rio loves the heat but then he,s just a cart horse.
Talk about Quakers.
Cheers and Merry Xmas .
darky.

[Northerly]

Good start to only bet on Good & Dead track. Particularly this time of the year, as horses that are racing this time of the year are generally trying to avoid the wet tracks.

I have heard that horses HATE extremely windy conditions (eg Melb Cup day), they tend to want to point their backside towards the rain and wind, not good when you want them to run the other way.

[partypooper]

got to tell you the tale of "Gus Demmy" a very poor class race horse in the North of England approx. 40+ years ago. (it was also the name of a well known Bookmaker) anyway it was well know that the nag HATED the rain and would just stop in his tracks if it was raining.

One day at Teesside park Racecourse in a 10 furlong race I was parked at the mile post just as Gus SHOT INTO THE LEAD straight into a SQUALL, and stopped just as quick, the going was listed as good, no mention of rain in the reports etc etc.

2 weeks later Gus was listed in a mile race at Teeside, bright sunshine and my weeks pay was on him, 33-1 you bloody beauty.

Just one of MANY tales that put me on the road to permanent punting!!