Tightened rules put Boss rides in doubt

GLEN Boss is optimistic he will be able to ride in Brisbane on Saturday because of his unique circumstances.

Boss escaped the Sydney COVID dramas last Friday when firstly having a negative COVID test before flying to Queensland to ride on Saturday and then heading to Melbourne in the belief he would then be fine to return to Queensland to ride.

But Queensland’s new border crackdown earlier this week meant there was the potential for a two-week quarantine period to be enforced on Boss in the same way as other Sydney residents who had been in the Harbour City at any point since December 11.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Boss (pictured) can’t see why he wouldn’t be able to ride in Brisbane on Saturday, given he has had a negative COVID test last Friday and has not returned to Sydney since providing it.

Racing authorities are seeking clarity.

It may be the case Boss needs to apply for a Queensland border pass and explain his unique circumstances.

Boss is slated to ride Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace’s classy two-year-old filly and Gold Coast Magic Millions hopeful Fake Love in the $250,000 BJ McLachlan Stakes among several other rides on Saturday at Eagle Farm.

Meanwhile, the tougher border restrictions have already seen the cancellation of eight corporate table bookings at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Magic Millions day, January 16.

However, chairman Brett Cook said there was a long waiting list for tables on the day and those corporate cancellations had already been filled with new bookings.

The club is hopeful there will be no further restrictions on crowd numbers with COVID restrictions already capping the Magic Millions numbers at 14,000-16,000 when there are usually about 24,000 there on the rich day.