Following consultation with the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC), Racing Victoria advises that tonight’s Moonee Valley race meeting and tomorrow’s All-Star Mile Raceday at Caulfield will proceed, however members of the public and owners will not be permitted to attend.
The decision by RV, MVRC and MRC takes into consideration both the announcement by the Federal Government that non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people are not permitted from Monday, 16 March and the projected crowds for Victoria’s two metropolitan race meetings.
The Moonee Valley and Caulfield meetings and all race meetings from 16 March until otherwise advised will proceed as programmed with only the following people permitted to attend:
- Licensed jockeys engaged to compete at the meeting
- Licensed trainers with runners engaged at the meeting
- Registered stable staff of trainers with runners engaged at the meeting
- Raceday officials and staff
- Broadcasters (TRP, Racing.com, Channel 7)
- Limited accredited media (as approved by RV)
Having considered the Government’s advice and the projected lower attendances, this weekend’s five country race meetings at Geelong, Dederang, Sale, Benalla and Woolamai will proceed with racegoers and owners, subject to the individual Racing Clubs determining their intention to open their gates to all attendees.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique and rapidly evolving situation. Throughout its emergence we have consistently stated that we will be guided by the advice received from Government and health authorities when determining whether any actions are necessary to limit crowds at our race meetings.
“Following updated advice received this afternoon from the Federal Government, we have consulted with our Clubs and Country Racing Victoria to determine the appropriate course of action for our race meetings this weekend prior to the restrictions on mass gatherings that take effect from Monday.
“Together with the Moonee Valley Racing Club and the Melbourne Racing Club we have elected to take a cautious approach with this weekend’s metropolitan race meetings where large crowds were expected to attend. As a result, they will proceed with only essential staff and participants permitted to attend.
“The five country race meetings with projected lower attendances will proceed with crowds this weekend, subject to the individual Racing Clubs determining their intention to open their gates to all attendees.
“From Monday all race meetings will be conducted with essential staff and participants in attendance only. Racing.com will continue to broadcast each meeting, as will Channel 7 for tomorrow’s Caulfield meeting, with punters able to engage via the approved wagering operators.”
In making the decision to continue the conduct of race meetings, RV notes veterinary advice that the welfare of horses will not be compromised in any way.
Clubs conducting race meetings will be asked to provide additional hand sanitisers for attendees, while RV is also seeking access to infrared thermometers to assist in identifying whether any attendees are demonstrating a fever.
Those permitted to attend race meetings are being asked to maintain a good level of hygiene, including washing and sanitising their hands and coughing/sneezing into their elbows.
Any permitted attendee who is unwell is encouraged not to attend the race meeting and to report cases of fever, coughing or other flu-like symptoms to their doctor.
The MVRC has advised that all bookings and tickets sold for tonight’s Moonee Valley race meeting will be fully refunded. The MRC has advised that general admission pre-purchased ticket holders for tomorrow’s Caulfield meeting will receive a full refund, whilst hospitality clients are offered a credit or refund.