This reduced the distance by 18.688 metres ( 61.31 ft ) , and Rain Lover 's 1968 race record of 3min .19.1 sec was accordingly adjusted to 3min .17.9 sec .
This made it 61ft 6in shorter , and Rain Lover 's 1968 race record of 3min .19.1 sec was changed to 3min .17.9 sec .