The main road in Victoria has been closed off to the public, in preparation for the traditional Santa Marija horse races that will take place this afternoon.

The Commissioner for Animal Welfare Dennis Montebello had reiterated his call to end horse racing on the eve of the traditional street horse races in Victoria.

A suspected contradiction was pointed out by social media users with regards to the races, as earlier this year amendments to the horse-drawn carriage legislation had tightened the parameters around which they can operate.

While the legislation does not stretch to cover horse racing, many questioned whether it is right that horses be made to race on tarmac during the peak summer season at the peak times of the day.