Tasmanian trainers to send their horses interstate after industry shutdown

Tasmania’s top thoroughbred trainers are planning to send their horses interstate in order to survive the coronavirus shutdown.

Tasmanian trainer Cameron Thompson with one of his horses heading to Victoria.

A GROUP of Tasmanian thoroughbred trainers are planning to send their horses interstate in order to survive following the shutdown of Tasmanian racing by the government almost two weeks ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tasmania is the only racing industry in Australia that has been shut down because of the coronavirus, so it was only a matter of time before Tasmanian participants switched to survival mode.

The state’s premier trainer, Scott Brunton, already has dispatched a handful of his horses to Victoria and he plans to send another batch this week, while Longford trainer John Blacker has put the wheels in motion to take at least 10 of his team interstate.

“I’ve just sent two more horses to Victoria last week and others will follow,” Brunton said.

Trainer Scott Brunton. Picture: GEORGE SALPIGTIDIS/GETTY IMAGES

It was a similar story from Blacker who has kept 40 horses in work since the shutdown almost two weeks ago.

“There’s only one way for us to keep our horses race fit and that’s to send or take them to Victoria to race while we are shut down,” Blacker said.

“If the Government can give us an idea of when we might return to racing, it would at least give us something to hang on to, but right now we are just waiting until the end of the month to see what’s happening next.”

Another northern-based trainer, Cameron Thompson, will be sending a team of at least eight across Bass Strait later this week.

“I’ve got over a dozen horses in work and needing to race but the longer the uncertainty continues my horses will become mentally fatigued and unable to race,” Thompson said.

“Sure, we can keep them in training during the shutdown, but it won’t take long for these horses to go over the top.

“They need to be trialled and have hard gallops to get ready for racing and, while our training centres are open, we aren’t allowed to trial the horses. It doesn’t make sense.”

Racing Minister Jane Howlett. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Racing Minister Jane Howlett said that, while these are difficult times for all Tasmanians, the decision to shut down the racing industry was not taken lightly.

“We will continue to be guided by public health advice when deciding on a resumption,” Ms Howlett said.

“I know this is difficult for everyone involved in our three racing codes, but these are unprecedented times and we are doing what we can to save lives.”

The financial support package initiated by the government will deliver to trainers $38 per day for each thoroughbred horse in training and $35 per day for harness horses.

Greyhound trainers will receive $50 a week for each greyhound in work during the length of the shutdown.

“These actions will help to keep the racing industry alive and ready to continue when it is in a position to fully resume operation,” Ms Howlett said.