Victorian owners will be allowed back to the races at regional tracks

Victorian racehorse owners have received a small win with a limited amount to be allowed back into racecourses at regional meetings from next week.

It might be a while before we see scenes like this at the races again in Victoria - but at least owners are able to attend tracks in regional areas. Picture: AAP.

Victorian owners are heading back to the races – at least in regional areas.

Racing Victoria has announced the resumption of limited owner attendance at regional race meetings under COVID-safe protocols, starting from next Monday at the Echuca meeting.

“Owners who reside outside metropolitan Melbourne will be given the opportunity to attend race meetings in regional Victoria when their horse is engaged to compete,” an RV statement said.

However the return of owners will be strictly managed under specific protocols and RV has noted some regional clubs may not be in a position to satisfy the necessary biosecurity protocols and thus the resumption of owner attendance may not be initially possible at some regional tracks.

RV has also confirmed that the prohibition on owners who reside in metropolitan Melbourne attending any race meeting in Victoria remains in place until otherwise advised.

All owners remain prohibited from attending race meetings at the following tracks within metropolitan Melbourne until otherwise advised – Flemington, Caulfield, Sandown, The Valley, Werribee, Yarra Valley, Mornington, Cranbourne and Pakenham.

Furthermore, RV reaffirmed that all owners, regardless of where they reside, remain prohibited from attending Licensed Premises (stables) and training centres at all times across the state.

Originally published as Victorian owners will be allowed back to the races at regional tracks