A horse race that was set to take place in the searing afternoon heat in Sannat has been rescheduled to a later time, after animal welfare concerns were raised with the local council. Held annually as part of the Santa Margarita feast celebration in Sannat, the animals were set to race through the village’s principal thoroughfare at 1.30 pm, despite Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina raising objection to the time and suggesting they be held after 6.30 pm and ensure easy access to water for the animals. The decision to hold a horse race in the afternoon heat also drew vociferous criticism on Facebook, with the local council's posts about the event attracting near-unanimous criticism. Sannat mayor Philip Vella told Times of Malta on Saturday afternoon that after consulting with the authorities, the council had decided to move the start of the race to 4 pm. “We have discussed the matter with the VRD, Transport Malta and the Police and it has been decided that the race will start at 4 pm,” he said. Plans to hold future races in the evening Vella also pledged to hold future races in the evening, as advised by Bezzina. “We want to take care of the animals and make sure...