NSW SHUTS GATE ON INTERSTATE JOCKEYS
INTERSTATE jockeys have been banned from riding in NSW until further notice, leaving star hoops including Craig Williams, Damien Oliver and Damien Lane having to give up plum rides for the remainder of Sydney’s rich autumn carnival.
Williams had Group 1 success aboard Castelvecchio in the Rosehill Guineas on
Saturday after jockeys chartered a plane from Victoria.
Interstate trainers won’t be able to accompany horses to Sydney as NSW authorities stepped up their response to the coronavirus pandemic with strict measures to keep the sport going.
Several Victorian trainers including Mick Price, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and Anthony Freedman have runners nominated for the Tancred Stakes meeting at Rosehill on Saturday but won’t be able to attend.
The ban also extends to stablehands and other essential racing personnel.
The move effectively makes it impossible for runners to get to NSW races in the care of anyone from their stable, unless they have local staff.
Racing NSW says all essential personnel not currently in NSW are not allowed to attend NSW racecourses or licensed premises until further notice.
The same will apply for those who leave NSW and return.
“Where Government regulations allow, horses will be permitted to travel to NSW, however essential personnel are not permitted to travel with such horses,” a Racing NSW statement said.
“Transport drivers are to make prior arrangements with drop-off points and are not to access licensed premises when delivering horses.”
Racing NSW has also separated all jockeys into three zones within the state. They have to pick a zone to ride in, and not leave that region.