Racing Victoria (RV) is pleased to announce that permission has been granted for owners to return to Victorian race meetings from Monday, 22 June 2020.
The approval is subject to host clubs having appropriate COVID safe protocols in place which will require owners to be segregated from racing participants.
Each racing club is required to submit its plans for approval by RV and/or Country Racing Victoria (CRV) before owners will be permitted to attend their race meeting.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “Owners have kept people in jobs across the state through their continued investment in racing throughout the pandemic. We’re incredibly thankful for their loyalty and understanding over the past three months and are delighted that we can begin welcoming them back to the track.
“There is much work to be done to ensure that we have the right biosecurity protocols in place to allow owners to return from next Monday, however the clubs and CRV are all focused on achieving this outcome.
“Under no circumstances does anyone wish to undo the great work achieved to date by all in safely continuing racing throughout the pandemic, which is why we need to ensure that the right processes and protocols are in place to welcome owners back.”
Thompson said that RV continued to work with the Victorian Government regarding a plan for a gradual return of members and general admission crowds.
“Further advice will be provided to clubs and the broader industry once a timeline for the potential return of members and the general public is known.”
In welcoming the announcement, RV has reaffirmed existing industry protocols pertaining to owners and outlined the current timeline for direct communication to them regarding the ability to attend race meetings:
- An email including FAQs will be sent to all owners next Monday, 22 June providing an overview of the processes and protocols in place for the resumption of their permitted attendance;
- An acceptance email will be sent tomorrow morning – Friday, 19 June – to the owners of horses engaged to race at Swan Hill (22 June) and Ballarat (23 June) directing them to information on how to register their desire to attend; and
- The prohibition on owners and other non-essential persons attending training centres and Licensed Premises remains in place until otherwise advised. This includes the prohibition on attending trackwork, trials and jump-outs or visiting stables.