Racing Victoria set to introduce tougher measures to protect the sport against COVID-19
After staging almost 1800 races in lockdown, Racing Victoria are set to introduce upgraded protocols that will further protect an industry which generates $3.2 billion in annual economic activity.
Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Racing Victoria has created a contact tracing squad of more than 80 people to deal with COVID-19 issues as the sport continues in the face of a global pandemic.
The squad significantly bolsters the existing contract tracing operation led by RV’s chief medical officer and AFL medico Dr Gary Zimmerman.
RV has gathered the squad from various sectors of the Victorian industry, with individuals having to complete World Health Organisation-accredited training before being approved.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Victoria has staged almost 1800 races since the state went into lockdown in March amid strict protocols, which include participants being temperature tested and questioned about COVID-19 on their arrival at tracks.
RV plans to soon introduce a mobile application to record and track participant health status through the use of SMS.
RV chief executive Giles Thompson hopes the upgraded protocols will further protect an industry which generates $3.2 billion economic activity.
“To this point we’ve had a small team led by our chief medical officer working on contract tracing across the industry when we’ve had a person identified as a possible close contact,” Thompson said.
“With the increased case numbers and heightened risk within Victoria, we’ve moved to develop a contact tracing squad to enhance our capabilities.
“It’s though our biosecurity protocols, as well as the diligence and co-operation of so many, that we’ve been able to progress five months without a COVID-19 case in Victorian racing.
“We’re not naive though to think that it can’t be a situation that we face in the future.
“That’s why we’ve assembled the contract tracing squad to ensure a swift and thorough response from our industry if there is a COVID-19 case within.
“Our leanings over the past five months and our increased capabilities, means that racing doesn’t need to shut down if we do get a COVID-19 positive within our industry.
“We are better equipped now than at the start of this pandemic to work swiftly to isolate an issue, identify close contacts and make decisive and responsible decisions in the best interests of both of the industry and the Victorian community.
“The mobile application that we’re looking to trial has the potential to be a very useful tool for tracing purposes in that it digitises some of our existing manual process which will mean our team can move even more quickly on contact tracing if we need to do so.”
Biosecurity protocols were introduced at The Valley on March 13. Since then, there have been more than 15,000 starters at Victorian tracks with only a handful of potential breaches.
So far, only one person – a stablehand – has been suspended for a COVID breach.
“Our biosecurity protocols have limited participation, locking out fans, members and owners from race meetings, and have added a layer of complexity for our participants to ensure we minimise all risks,” Thompson said.
“The great thing is that every stakeholder group has copped it on the chin and said we’re happy to make these sacrifices to keep the sport alive and protect as many jobs as possible.
“We don’t take the right to continue racing during these unprecedented times lightly and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to maintain jobs and continue supporting the 110,000 people who are employed or participating in Victorian thoroughbred racing.
“We have been continually reviewing our biosecurity protocols throughout the pandemic and we will continue to do this. If we think there are further enhancements that not only help to safely maintain racing and training, but protect our staff, participants and the wider Victorian community, then we will act.”
“We are better equipped now than at the start of this pandemic to work swiftly to isolate an issue, identify close contacts and make decisive and responsible decisions in the best interests of both of the industry and the Victorian community.”
Super mare on track for Memsie
Undaunted by P.B. Lawrence Stakes failure, Adam Trinder’s faith in Mystic Journey remains unshakeable ahead of a tilt at the first Group 1 contest of the season, the $750,000 Memsie Stakes on August 29.
The Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile winner finished eighth, 4.5 lengths behind Savatiano off a torrid run at Caulfield on Saturday, prompting Trinder to give the mare “a pass mark.”
“We don’t make excuses but there were factors there,” he said.
“Although it was just a (soft) 6 and you shouldn’t make excuses there, she wasn’t comfortable on that with the tempo of the race.
“She was wide and deep. The barrier was key and it didn’t work out for us.
“She’s came through the run well. Her temperature is fine, she had a nice roll this morning (Sunday) and, as things stand now, she’ll head to the Memsie in two weeks’ time.
“It was a pass mark for me.”
Mystic Journey could again cross swords with several Lawrence Stakes combatants as well as Spring Stakes winner Behemoth, who will be ridden by Craig Williams, in the Memsie.
Trainer Grant Williams hopes crack WA pair Arcadia Queen (fifth) and Regal Power (eighth) will benefit from moderate first-up runs heading to the Memsie.
“Disappointing, first thoughts,” Williams said of the stablemates.
“But just watching the replay both just pulled far too hard. We had to come a month early and we didn’t get the trials into them that I would’ve liked.
“Regal Power had one and Arcadia Queen went into it without one.
“Her effort (Arcadia Queen) was really good when you look at it. Damien (Oliver) thought she was still going ok on the line.
“Regal Power was wide, never really settled. He could benefit through this, I reckon.”
Godolphin’s Savatiano is $5 favourite for the Memsie ahead of Williams-trained Showmanship, who is expected to head to a Listed race instead of tackling Group 1 opposition.
“I’ll speak to (owner) Bob (Peters). He does all the programming,” Williams said.
“We’ll see how he pulls up. We’ve got plans for him but things are a bit up in the air at the moment.
“We can go to a listed race next. We want to put him out there a bit.”