As you’re aware, approval was granted for owners with a runner engaged to resume attendance at Victorian race meetings from 23 June 2020 onwards.
Given the ongoing presence of COVID-19 in Victoria, owner attendance is only permitted under strict protocols and in line with all Government directives.
The Victorian Government this week announced that, as of today, it was reimposing stage three restrictions on the following Victorian postcodes in a bid to contain the virus - 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060, 3064.
These areas have been designated as COVID-19 hotspots by the Government and remain in lock down until at least 29 July 2020.
Unfortunately, with immediate effect, any owner who lives in one of these postcodes is no longer permitted to attend a Victorian race meeting until otherwise advised.
We sympathise with those owners residing in these locations and I thank them in anticipation of their cooperation and understanding in these unique circumstances.
For clarity, trainers, jockeys and stable employees who reside in these postcodes will be permitted to continue attending training centres and race meetings as essential workers, providing they feel well and pass their temperature tests upon entry.
All other Victorian-based owners will be permitted entry to Victorian racing meetings provided they adhere to each Club’s pre-registration requirements and the protocols in place for that race meeting.
As explained previously, the raceday experience that we can currently offer to owners is not the same as you are used to.
Owner access to the mounting yard and stables is not permitted and there is a limit on the time owners can spend on-course. Numbers will be capped which means that an owner cannot bring a guest.
If your horse is accepted to race in Victoria please keep an eye out for the acceptance email sent by Racing Victoria and/or the host Club.
It will contain a link to the host Club’s website which will detail information about owner attendance at their race meeting, including how to pre-register.
A reminder to those permitted owners who are successful in the pre-registration process that they are not allowed under any circumstances to travel to/from the race meeting with a licensed or registered person (trainer, jockey, stable employee).
In closing, I want to again thank those owners in the designated hotspots for their cooperation and ongoing support of Victorian racing, and hope that they can enjoy some luck on the track throughout the next month.
Yours sincerely,
Giles Thompson
Chief Executive
Racing Victoria