Races out to bounce back
Clifford Park meet abandoned due to COVID-19 threat
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au
Shockwaves were sent through the racing industry on Wednesday, which in turn has led to the abandonment of the Clifford Park meeting set down for yesterday.
The decision by Racing Queensland to call off the meeting was a part of a chain reaction that started in Victoria the day prior, making its way around the states in a dramatic day on the track.
The Sandown races were called off just two races into their program after it was discovered that an industry participant had been on the same commercial flight as someone that has tested positive for COVID-19.
This led to Warwick Farm being halted through five events, Ascot had the pin pulled after three races, and Launceston’s evening meeting was over before a race could be run.
Racing Queensland said in a statement that they came to the decision to cancel the meeting on Wednesday night after confirming a Queensland licensee had come into contact with the Victorian participant awaiting their test. FURTHER MEASURES INSTALLED BY RACING QUEENSLAND
With the Queensland borders now officially closed, Racing Queensland has enforced further measures to address the coronavirus situation.
“Any licensed participant who arrives in the state from tomorrow will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period before being permitted onto a Queensland racecourse,” the statement reads.
“With racing presently being conducted under stringent health measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RQ has taken the additional step of enforcing a mandatory selfisolation period for any licensee – Queensland or otherwise – who is presently interstate.
“Any licensee who arrives in Queensland, irrespective of their mode of transport, will be unable to attend race meetings, training centres or any other licenced facility for a period of at least 14 days.”