The Easter Saturday races at Oakbank in South Australia is normally the largest-attended event in the state. © Racing.com
By Ryan Reynolds
Tough new measures – including compulsory temperature checks – have been announced by Racing Victoria to stop coronavirus spreading into the racing industry.
In an unprecedented move to keep the industry going as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic, races in Victoria will be run behind closed doors until at least April 13.
Starting from Tuesday’s meeting at Cranbourne, all those permitted to attend racedays must not have a temperature at or above 37.6.
Racing Victoria also announced interstate and international jockeys will only be permitted to compete within Victoria if they travel to the state by private vehicle or charter flight.
It means Hugh Bowman will either have to charter a flight or drive to Melbourne to ride Bivouac in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Those defined as permitted people at race tracks until April 13 are: licenced jockeys and trainers engaged at the meeting, registered stable staff with runners at the meeting, raceday officials and limited media and broadcast staff.
Restrictions are also in place for trackwork, trials, training centres and jumpouts.
Picnic Racing has also been abandoned for the remainder of the season with meetings at Alexandra, Healesville, Mansfield, Balnarring and Swifts Creek not going ahead.
RV and Country Racing Victoria said they will distribute the allocated prizemoney for these abandoned picnic meetings among the affected clubs and picnic racing participants to assist in the absence of earning opportunities.
Racing Victoria boss Giles Thompson said the unprecedented situation needed unprecedented actions to support an industry that needs to be racing to survive.
“We have two clear priorities at this time; to protect the health and wellbeing of our industry stakeholders and indeed the wider community, and to provide an appropriate framework under which racing can continue for the many people whose livelihoods depend on it,” Thompson said.
“A decision on our meetings after 13 April will be made in the coming weeks as the situation evolves, and more timely information is available from the Government and health authorities.
“We have implemented strict measures for those attending race meetings and I again ask that any permitted attendee who is feeling unwell not attend and seek medical advice where appropriate. This same approach should apply for those attending trackwork also.
“In making today’s announcement, I want to thank all within the industry, in particular our owners, for their cooperation and understanding in this unique and challenging time. It is important that the racing community works together so we can continue racing for the benefit of all.”
Oakbank affected as SA closes racing to fans
By Terry McAuliffe
Thoroughbred Racing South Australia has joined fellow jurisdictions around the country by on Tuesday announcing all meetings across the state for the foreseeable future will be strictly limited to essential racing personnel only, with the biggest impact initially to be felt at Oakbank during Easter.
This procedure will commence with the Wednesday meeting at Gawler, with numbers to be restricted under the Australian Government’s edict that non-essential mass gatherings of 500 people be avoided as a result of the COVID-19 situation.
The Easter Saturday meeting at Oakbank is traditionally the largest-attended race day in South Australia, and that day is also a massive day for the Clare Racing Club where thousands regularly attend.
A crisis meeting of Industry stakeholders will take place at the TRSA offices on Thursday, with one of the key discussion points to be the three Saturdays in May at Morphettville, which stages the state’s four Group 1 events.
Recently appointed TRSA CEO Nick Redin said: “This is an unprecedented move but, in order to protect the 3600-plus jobs racing provides across the State, these are the actions we feel necessary to take at this time.”
Streaky Bay, known as the home of the McEvoys, held a club meeting on Monday night where the decision was made to cancel their Cup Day meeting on Saturday March 28.
A wonderful community event which draws a massive turn out for their one race meeting a year, the club felt it faced no alternative as with the Government restrictions it would have been a disaster for them financially.
These articles first appeared on Racing.com and is reprinted here with their kind permission.
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