The three-day lockdown announced by Premier Peter Gutwein for southern Tasmania, starting at 6pm today and finishing at 6pm on Monday, will impact four Tasmanian race meetings and southern trials.
The specific details are:
Launceston Harness Friday Night
The meeting is progressing as planned, however Tasracing has contacted the five harness trainers and four drivers who are attending from the South and advised that if they do attend the meeting they will, at a minimum, need to wear masks and will be segregated as much as possible from other participants. They will need to abide by social distancing guidelines. As the lockdown commences at 6pm there is no basis to stop participants travelling North. Affected Southern participants will be given the option to scratch at no penalty.
Elwick Thoroughbreds Saturday Day
The meeting has been abandoned and will be rescheduled at a time to be negotiated with Industry. Tasracing will endeavour to divide or add races where possible at upcoming meetings at Launceston. Tasracing will work with the Tasmanian Racing Club and the wider industry to find a suitable date to reschedule the affected race meeting as soon as practical.
Elwick Harness Sunday Twilight
The 2YO Sires Stakes meeting has been transferred to Wednesday night 20 October on Sky 2. Further details will be provided as soon as possible.
Launceston Greyhounds Monday Night
While the fields for a number of races have been heavily impacted, the meeting will continue as planned.
Trials
Trials at Carrick on 18 October will proceed, however no Southern participants will be allowed to attend.
Greyhound trials scheduled at Elwick during the lockdown period have been transferred to Tuesday 19 October, commencing at 6:30pm
Training
Tasracing training facilities will remain open and available during this short lockdown for essential staff only including those who assist in animal welfare, including trainers, veterinarians, farriers and those who feed the animals, will be able to continue their essential work. Normal training trackwork at Brighton will continue.
Further information will be provided as appropriate. Please continue to monitor the tasracingcorporate.com.au website for updates and any SMS alerts.