It follows an extraordinary week where bans have been imposed on large gatherings in Australia, while travel bans have been implemented to stem the spread of the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus, which has thrown the world economy into a great state of uncertainty and chaos.
Horse racing will continue in Australia, but with no public access to meetings, including the upcoming G1 Golden Slipper S. and The Championships.
Te Akau implements Trans-Tasman plan
The effective halting of travel between Australia and New Zealand will have a significant impact on The Championships with several New Zealand contenders set to be grounded because of the impracticality of travelling.
The highly successful Te Akau Racing operation, headed up by trainer Jamie Richards, will have a presence in Sydney with Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) already in Sydney and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) headed that way from Melbourne, where she finished third in the All-Star Mile.
Richards has decided to remain in New Zealand to oversee his operation there with his father Paul Richards and team member Ashley Handley to handle the preparation of the star trio.
"Ashley will stay in Sydney with Dad and they will do the horses together. As well as that, our jockey Opie Bosson is going over tonight to get there before the deadline starts for isolation. So two of our most senior staff and our stable rider will be in Sydney, with our three top rated Group 1 horses," he said.
"I will stay in New Zealand and communicate with Dad and Ashley, and concentrate on the horses here in New Zealand. We have a large team here and we need to make sure we are doing the right thing by the horses and the owners."
"We have a large team here and we need to make sure we are doing the right thing by the horses and the owners." - Jamie Richards
While being in a different country while his three best horses tackle Sydney's autumn riches is far from ideal, Richards said it was important he stayed at the heart of the operation back in New Zealand.
"I've a lot of faith in my staff and obviously, I trust my dad implicitly," he said. "Ashley has a very good hold on the horses and works tirelessly to get the best out of them. It’s important we continue to kick goals in New Zealand. We still have a couple of Group 1s here, with the favourites in both races, so still have goals to achieve in New Zealand."
Jamie Richards
Richards said that will be the plan for the short term to get through the next month.
"It will be interesting to see how the Australian and New Zealand government reacts in the next two weeks and if there is any further spread. I don’t think anybody can predict what will happen. It will be an interesting couple of weeks for the world economy and our sport."
Easter Sale likely to be invite only
In line with the recommendations against public events of more than 500 people, Inglis is set to make the upcoming Australian Easter Yearling Sale an invitation only event.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster tweeted that the sale will proceed on an invitation only basis with technology to play a critical role to maintain the global market.
More details are expected in the coming days.
The sale is due to take place from April 7-8.
Slipper lockout insured against
Next Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper S. day, which will feature five Group 1 races, will be held behind closed doors.
The ATC confirmed that it was insured against losses incurred by the lockout for both the Rosehill meeting and the two-day The Championships at Randwick, held on April 4 and April 11.
“We will lose some money but it will be mitigated by the insurance policy," Australian Turf Club official Brett de Vine told Racenet.
“We will lose some money but it will be mitigated by the insurance policy." - Brett de Vine
"But it’s only for major race days, as far as the autumn carnival it covers the Golden Slipper and the two days of The Championships."
It has also been confirmed that Tuesday's G1 Golden Slipper S. barrier draw will be held behind closed doors at Racing NSW, with the usual owners' function to be held at Rosehill's Grand Pavilion, cancelled.
Japanese raiders in doubt
The 14-day self-isolation period imposed by the Federal Government is also likely to impact a trio of Japanese horses who are leading contenders for key races in the upcoming The Championships.
Mozu Ascot (USA) (Frankel {GB}) is currently favourite for the G1 Doncaster Mile, while Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is top pick for the Queen Elizabeth S. and My Style (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) is set for the same race.
The trio were set to arrive this week, and it is the required isolation of any staff that travel with them that is the concern.
While the horses will have to serve their usual 14-day quarantine, the Australian Government also requires their handlers to effectively do the same thing.
The ATC is concerned it may act as a deterrent and it is likely they won't travel.
The William Haggas-trained Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), the second favourite for Saturday’s Ranvet S, and stablemate Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Fr}) are already in Australia and their handlers won’t be impacted by self-isolation.
Jockeys grounded
Australian jockeys intending to travel to Hong Kong and ride have also been impacted by the self-isolation requirement.
Tommy Berry, Hugh Bowman and Brett Prebble were all set to travel for the G1 Hong Kong Derby but the new regulations mean they would then not be able to ride for a minimum of 14 days of their arrival back in Australia. That seems unlikely with The Championships so close.
It also means that any Hong Kong-based jockey heading to Australia to ride in The Championships would not be able to do so without serving a 14-day self-isolation.
Hugh Bowman may not be able to travel for the G1 Hong Kong Derby
Racing Australia CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) response plan
Statement from Racing Australia
Racing Australia offices are currently continuing to operate as normal to support the Principal Racing Authorities, Race Clubs and participants as the industry moves to the continuation of racing from Monday, 16 March based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer to Commonwealth and State Governments in relation to public gatherings of over 500 people.
Racing Australia continues to invest in the ongoing development, enhancement and testing of a robust Business Continuity Plan. As an extension of the existing Business Continuity Plan, a Health Emergency Continuity Plan has been developed and more recently a specific Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Plan has also been developed to ensure the continuity of services provided by Racing Australia.
Given the constantly evolving situation, Racing Australia continues to monitor, review and update planning and preparation as necessary in order to respond and recover in the event of a health emergency due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) which impacts on the ability of staff to work from Racing Australia’s offices.
Continuity of Services Remotely
In the event of an office close-down period, Racing Australia is ready to minimise disruption to service and ensure continuity of operations based on employees working remotely.
This includes but is not limited:
a) Racing Australia Service Centre used by trainers to lodge nominations, acceptances, withdrawals, scratchings and stable returns. Will continue to operate with no changes to the phone number or where to go online. Results, Racebook production and related customer service and help desk will also continue.
b) Australian Stud Book & Registrar of Racehorses used by Breeders and Owners. Will continue to operate with no changes to the phone number or where to go online.
c) Other functions of Racing Australia such as Finance, Network and Application Support will also continue.
Participants are encouraged to use online or phone services rather than paper-based forms due to the potential of paper forms being delayed by the post or not accessible for a period of time. Where a paper form is still used participants are encouraged to scan and email the form to Racing Australia rather than sending it via mail.
Equine Genetics Research Centre
In the event the Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) closes, Thoroughbred parentage testing and other breed services would be suspended for up to 14 days and, if closure of the EGRC is to last longer than 14 days, parentage testing and other breed tests would be relocated to the EGRC’s backup Lab conditional on it continuing to operate.
Racing Australia will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves, as well as retesting our continuity and preparedness in order to best manage any impact.
