RETURN TO THE SADDLE

Romeo’s back at the track after 14-day self-isolation

TOP north Queensland jockey Pietro Romeo is one of the lucky ones.

After travelling home to England twice over the last couple of months, Romeo has completed his 14-day self isolation period due to concerns around coronavirus and is fit and ready to ride a few winners this afternoon at Cairns Jockey Club.

The 36-year-old lightweight rider, who is Townsville-based, made two trips back to the UK over the past few months, following a death in his family.

The well-travelled hoop took all the precautions to make sure he did not endanger himself, wearing gloves and a face mask much of the time, as well as sanitising everything he touched or came close to.

With family still in Italy, Romeo, who has an Italian passport, knew what was going to unfold throughout the rest of the world and was sure to be as safe as possible.

“I was lucky because in my area of the plane in the second flight home, where there is 100 seats, there was only 10 people,” Romeo said.

“This was a couple of weeks ago now but people had been starting to cut down on flights.

“I was aware of the situation in Italy at the time – it was bad. I was super careful once I got back.

“I knew what I had to do to take care of myself and that is what I did.”

Romeo, who is known to drive all around north Queensland to ride track work at smaller venues, flew back into Australia just before Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered travellers to selfisolate for a 14-day period before re-entering the community.

Romeo had no symptoms or any reason to believe he had contracted coronavirus and even self-isolated from his partner in the first few days following his flight.

“By the rules, I did not have to do it, but I thought it would be best to be safe, with lots of older people working in the racing industry,” Romeo said.

“At the time, there was only a small number of cases and when I came through the borders a second time, self-isolation was not mandatory.”

Romeo, who is a regular at Innisfail and Atherton riding work, was second in the Queensland country jockey’s premiership behind Mount Isa-based Dan Ballard for much of the 2018 season.

He takes four rides this afternoon at Cannon Park.