Tasmanian racing industry to keep operating after gaining exemption to coronavirus restrictions

The future of Tasmania’s racing industry has been determined amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toorak Affair (centre) ridden by Anthony Darmanin trained by Michael Trinder wins the 2020 Hobart Cup. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE future of Tasmania’s racing industry has been determined amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The industry has been granted a special “outdoor gathering exemption” from the coronavirus lockdown to keep racing until Monday.

Tasracing has put into place 10 strategies to provide mitigating measures at all of its race meetings.

The exemption to keep racing will be reviewed next week.

CEO Paul Eriksson said Tasracing sought the exemption to provide it and the Tasmanian racing industry with greater certainty around its immediate future.

“It is Tasracing’s intention to introduce further measures that will support an application for an extension to the exemption,” Eriksson said.

“We are investigating what these additional measures may look like and will announce when appropriate.”

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Mr Eriksson said Tasracing and the industry understood their important responsibility to support the actions taken to minimise the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the wider community.

“That is why we have implemented strict protocols to ensure that racing and training activities can continue in Tasmania, just as they are continuing in other jurisdictions around Australia,” he said.

TASRACING’S SAFETY MEASURES ARE:

•All race meetings across all three codes, trials and trackwork in Tasmania are not open to the public (including owners).

•Attendance on race days and trials is only provided to essential personnel, including jockeys, drivers, trainers, stewards, Veterinarians and medical staff.

•Security is in place on racecourses and training facilities to restrict access.

•Office of Racing Integrity Stewards have the power to police social distancing and order people from the course if required.

•No on-course wagering facilities are available and essential personnel are required to leave the racecourse after their horses or greyhounds have run in their specific race.

•Enhanced hygiene measures have also been implemented on Tasmanian racecourses.

•Barrier staff wear gloves.

•Greyhound handlers load boxes approximately two-metres between each other.

•Thoroughbred and Harness fields are limited to 10 participants.

•Continuous messaging (daily and on-track) on social distancing and responsibilities and improved signage around the course and at entry points.