A: No, you cannot. When we split the State into regions back in 2020 there was some confusion over borders and if you recall we told those participants on those border that they needed to “pick and stick” to a region. This however is very different and is in fact clearer than before. It comes down to this: If you are designated to be in lockdown by the NSW Government and NSW Health, then you are in Zone 1. If you are not designated to be in lockdown, you are in Zone 2 and race at those tracks. You cannot self-lockdown to race in a different region.
A: No it is not possible. We have doubled checked with NSW Health around this question, and the information given to us is that if you do enter the locked down area from a non-locked down area, then you must self-quarantine - when you return home - for 14 days.
A: Under the regulations issued by the NSW Government going into the lockdown, like many other workers, our participants are permitted to leave home to work.
A: As I regularly say this is a constantly moving situation and we will deal with what is put in front of us. At the moment the lockdown is until midnight on Friday, July 9. Hopefully we can get back to some sort of normality after that, but if not then we will again formulate a plan which will no doubt include similar measures to what we have done with spreading city prizemoney in this initial stage.
A: Inside of Zone 1 – the locked down area – those who can attend a meeting are trainers with dogs engaged, their handlers and catchers who are appropriately licenced, and essential race meeting staff only. You can take more than one catcher/handler if you require to do so, but we request that everyone uses the absolute minimum number of people required, so we have as few people on track as necessary.
A: Like I said earlier, the situation is constantly evolving and we can only manage what is in front of us right now. We have thought about the prospect of something like this being in place when the TAB Million Dollar Chase commences in August, but there is really no point in discussing that right now. Right now is about getting through these next two weeks, and that is why we have put in place the zoning so that everyone is able to continue to race and earn a living.
A: Last year was a different circumstance. We have postponed the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic and the Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal, but we fully intend on slotting them back into the racing calendar. We will work on that when we come out of this current situation and when everyone is able to compete in those events.
A: You are correct that we stated this initially when only Wentworth Park was impacted as it was in the Greater Sydney Area, and locked down. You will also recall that we mentioned that the Wentworth Park meetings for next Saturday and the following Saturday were to be shifted to Gosford. This was prior to the NSW Premier announcing the extended lockdown last Saturday. The lockdown area was widened, and we moved into two distinct Zones. The racing calendar as a result has now not changed, only the participants able to race at those meetings has altered. Apologies for any confusion, but as circumstances change we have to adapt too, and we have tried to do that as best as possible.
