Racing put on hold for minimum four weeks

New Zealand’s racing industry ground to a halt yesterday evening, leaving thousands of Kiwi families in financial limbo.

The three racing codes have been racing without crowds in a desperate bid to keep the sport running but yesterday’s increase in New Zealand’s Covid-19 alert level means racing will be shutdown from today for a minimum of four weeks.

With the racing industry and the TAB providing a livelihood for more than 17,000 income earners in New Zealand, the freezing of the industry provides a huge amount of uncertainty.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) had already announced that tomorrow’s races at Matamata have been cancelled as have trials at Foxton today and Greyhound Racing New Zealand has cancelled today’s meetings and all others until further notice.

Since last Wednesday, racing has continued with ‘‘closed door’’ events with only essential personnel permitted to attend in a desperate bid to keep the industry running.

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that New Zealand will shut down for four weeks in response to the community transmission of coronavirus.

She said the country had moved to level 3 and would prepare to enter level 4 in 48 hours time and that all indoor and outdoor events are banned.

Ardern said ‘‘staying at home is essential’’ and all ‘‘nonessential businesses must close in 48 hours’’ and further domestic travel restrictions would come into force.

‘‘We recognise that these are challenging times for everyone within our industry and we will be working closely with those impacted to help them through the coming weeks,’’ a statement from NZTR said.

‘‘As has been announced the Government is providing financial assistance for those impacted and the codes will provide guidance for those wanting help as to how they go about seeking that assistance.’’

New Zealand’s total number of confirmed cases is now 102 after 36 new cases were announced yesterday.

Late last week, NZTR chief executive Bernard Saundry said they would consider placing jockeys in quarantine to help keep the sport running.

Inter-Island travel for jockeys was also stopped to help stop further spread and it was mooted that racing could continue in the North Island but not the South Island or vice versa.