Over the past few years the horse racing industry has seen programs of live racing affected by bears, skunks, geese, ducks, seagulls, rabbits and raccoons. You can now add another to that list

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On January 26 at the Hanging Rock racetrack in Victoria, Australia, the Hanging Rock Cup for thoroughbreds had to be cancelled due to an insurgence of six kangaroos on the track.

A report by The Sydney Morning Herald explains that stewards from Racing Victoria Limited were forced to cancel the card after the kangaroos, which were initially just close to the course, invaded the proceedings.

The report states that jockeys noticed the animals along the backstretch, but the 'roos' would later advance. One actually put on an interesting display for the fans in attendance when he hopped through the homestretch.

The article explains that the kangaroos usually stay behind the 1,700-metre fence around the track after being encouraged out by staff on race day morning.

In an attempt to make light of the effect the Roos were having on the card of racing, the track announcer, clearly in a tongue-in-cheek manner, said, "Well, if somebody could catch a couple of those Roos and maybe paint a colour on them we might be able to have a little race here."

(With files from The Sydney Morning Herald)