Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise of the following update about arrangements for Victorian racing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Racing and training is currently permitted to continue in Victoria under strict biosecurity protocols developed in accordance with all the current directives, guidelines and advice established by the Victorian Government on the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
That said, RV is continually reviewing the industry’s biosecurity protocols which serve to protect the health of industry staff, participants and the wider community; as well as minimise the risk of participants catching the virus which may in turn impact on the continuation of racing.
Following consultation with the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) and Australian Trainers Association (ATA), the following additional protocols will be implemented until otherwise advised:
Approved Green Team Jump-Outs
Effective from Tuesday, 21 April 2020, jockeys in the Green Team will be permitted to participate in jump-outs conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) at Caulfield or Sandown and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) at Flemington.
The prohibition on jockeys in the Green Team riding trackwork (including at Caulfield, Sandown and Flemington on the morning of Approved Green Team Jump-Outs) remains in place until otherwise advised, as does the prohibition on them participating in jump-outs at other training centres and Racecourses.
The MRC and VRC will continue to manage the conduct of these jump-outs and will implement measures to maintain the segregation of participating jockeys in the Green Team and Gold Team as occurs on raceday.
The Approved Green Team Jump-Outs have been established on the grounds of health and wellbeing, recognising the challenge that some riders have faced in maintaining their weight and fitness without trackwork permitted and with the closure of gyms, on-course spas and saunas.
Travelling Companions for Horses
Effective from Sunday, 19 April 2020, trainers are not permitted to bring a travelling companion for horses, including ponies, to any race meeting.
Only horses engaged to compete at the race meeting will be allocated a stall and be permitted to enter the Racecourse.
This protocol will assist Racing Clubs in their efforts to stable horses from training centres together on raceday and support social distancing measures.
Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “I want to thank the jockeys within the Green Team who have made sacrifices over the past month to ensure that the industry has multiple options available to it should a rider test positive at any time.
“The successful segregation of Green Team and Gold Team jockeys on raceday has provided us with the framework to now allow the Green Team members to compete in metropolitan jump-outs where raceday measures will be replicated to segregate the riders.
“The health and wellbeing of our participants is of the utmost importance and the introduction of the Approved Green Team Jump-Outs will be of great benefit to those riders in maintaining their weight and fitness in these challenging times.”
To view the list of Green Team members, click here.