Apprentices Michael Poy, Teo Nugent stood down from riding for potential COVID-19 breaches
Just 24 hours after racing was given the green light to continue during Victoria’s tough stage 4 restrictions, two jockeys are now facing a stewards’ investigation into potential COVID-19 breaches.
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Racing Victoria has stood down apprentice jockeys Michael Poy and Teo Nugent pending a stewards’ investigation into potential COVID-19 breaches.
The young hoops must self-isolate until the results of mandatory coronavirus tests.
A stablehand has also been stood down and told to isolate pending test results.
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The COVID-19 scare comes as the Victorian Government on Monday gave racing the green light to continue during Stage 4 restrictions.
Poy and Nugent both rode at Sandown on Sunday.
Nugent also rode at the Valley on Saturday.
Poy was scheduled to ride at Pakenham on Tuesday.
The young guns are both in the protected ‘green’ team of jockeys, which includes Damien Oliver, Craig Williams, Jye McNeil, Ben Melham, Michael Walker and John Allen.
It is the first COVID scare to unsettle the thoroughbred industry since Mark Zahra was stood down in March pending test results after being seated on a flight from Sydney close to a positive case.
Zahra was reinstated and racing continued after the jockey returned a negative test.
A Racing Victoria stewards’ report on Tuesday confirmed the inquiry.
“Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have opened an inquiry into the conduct of licensed apprentice jockeys Michael Poy and Teodore Nugent and a stablehand registered to Robert Hickmott upon receipt of information of possible breaches of COVID-19 protocols,” the statement said.
“Acting on the advice from RV’s Chief Medical Officer, the three have been stood down until further medical assessments are undertaken and until such time as the Stewards conclude their inquiry.
“The trio have been advised that they are not permitted to attend any Racecourses or Licensed Premises until approved by the Stewards to do so. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that all three should self-isolate at home and adhere to all Stage 4 restrictions pending further direction.”
Originally published as Apprentices Michael Poy, Teo Nugent stood down from riding for potential COVID-19 breaches