We hope that you have enjoyed your time as an owner of a Victorian thoroughbred racehorse during the 2019-20 season despite some of the challenges experienced this year.
We know that the current COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed everyone’s way of life and that it has affected the way owners enjoy their racing experience. However, we want to thank all Victorian thoroughbred owners for their continued support and cooperation throughout this challenging time.
Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic has limited owners’ accessibility to Victorian racetracks this year, we have made the decision to extend the 2019-20 Victorian Owner Gold Card (VOGC) eligibility requirements into the 2020-21 racing season.
This means that regardless of whether your horse has been nominated to run in a Victorian race within the past 18 months, your current VOGC card will remain active for the duration of the entire 20/21 racing season which will conclude on 31 July 2021.
Due to the ongoing presence of COVID-19 in Victoria, owner attendance is only permitted under strict protocols and in line with all Government directives.
This means that, as of 31 July 2020, all owners who reside in metropolitan Melbourne, Mitchell Shire, Colac-Otway, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool, Golden Plains, and the Borough of Queenscliffe are not permitted to attend any race meeting in Victoria until otherwise advised.
Owners who reside outside these areas are currently allowed to attend Victorian race meetings except those held at Flemington, Caulfield, Sandown, The Valley, Werribee, Yarra Valley, Mornington, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Kilmore, Seymour, Geelong and Colac.
Permitted owners will continue to be bound by the protocols which include the requirement for pre-registration; limits on the number of owners and time spent on course; adherence to all social gathering guidelines; and segregation from all racing participants.
It is unclear at this time as to when these restrictions will be relaxed but we will continue to provide you with relevant updates as they become available.
Once we are able to welcome all owners back to the track, the VOGC will be your golden ticket to the inner sanctum of Victorian racing: providing a number of exciting raceday privileges including admission and members passes on the day your horse runs, as well as complimentary racebooks and access to on-course owners’ facilities and complimentary beverages.
Finally, you may be aware that the production and distribution of winning owner DVDs at country meetings ceased at the commencement of the pandemic in March. We wish to advise today that this service will not be returning in the future. Access to replays of Victorian races remain available free of charge to all owners who subscribe to Racing.com.
If you have any questions in relation to your eligibility for a VOGC or the contents of this letter, then please don’t hesitate to contact our Owner Services team on 1300 139 412, or via email on owner@racingvictoria.net.au
Once again, thank you for your support of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry during this challenging time. Please continue to stay in touch with industry developments and the latest owners’ news at racingvictoria.com.au.
Kind regards,
Racing Victoria Owner Services Team