Cover image by Vince Caligiuri courtesy of AAP Photos

The 21 jockeys have been isolated since last month from the remaining jockeys in the state on race day because of COVID-19 precautions.

They have also been stopped from riding trackwork, trials and jump-outs, but from Tuesday they will be allowed to ride in jump-outs at Caulfield, Flemington and Sandown.

However, a prohibition remains on those 21 jockeys riding trackwork before the jump-outs.

Allowing the 21 jockeys to resume riding jump-outs has been established on the grounds of their health and wellbeing.

It also recognises the challenge that some faced maintaining their weight and fitness without being able to ride trackwork along with the closure of gyms, on-course spas and saunas.

Trainers are now no longer allowed to take a travelling companion for horses to any race meeting.

RV said this protocol would assist clubs in their efforts to stable horses from training centres together on race day and support social distancing measures.

Latest from the UK

Top trainer tests positive

Courtesy of TDN Europe

Mark Johnston, Britain’s winning-most trainer, is self-isolating at home in North Yorkshire after receiving a positive test for coronavirus.

The Scotsman told horseracingplanet.com that he began showing symptoms last Tuesday, and received a test on Wednesday after his symptoms had failed to subside.

“It started with a cough and I tried to play it down,” Johnston said. “I didn’t really think I had it but after four days my temperature was off the scale and then I had no choice but to accept it.

“I didn’t really want any publicity because I didn’t want to make a meal of it,” he added. “I’ve been isolated since last Tuesday but other people are a lot worse off than I am; other people have bigger problems so you don’t want to blow it up.”

Johnston’s wife Deirdre told Racing Post that son and assistant trainer Charlie has been overseeing training.

“Everybody has been brilliant–the team is keeping everything going,” she said. “I just can’t wait for Mark to be well and get back to the horses.

“We just wish everybody else well and hope they don’t get this because it is not nice, and Mark’s not even as bad as the poor people who have to go into hospital.”

Support package

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation have announced an immediate £22 million (AU$43.2 million) hardship funding package to support the British racing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two organisations have combined with other racing bodies to identify the areas within the sport most in need of emergency support. The HBLB is primarily involved with supporting racecourses currently hit by the suspension of racing and a cash sum of £13.5 million (AU$26.5 million) is being made available in that area, while £8 million (AU$15.7 million) has been released for racing’s participants, including for equine welfare.

“This is a substantial undertaking by the Levy Board in conjunction with the Racing Foundation,” said HBLB chairman Paul Darling.

“The board has agreed to make available significant sums to racecourses through a combination of measures that will meet the demand for cash in the short-term. Importantly, this approach preserves further levy funds that we know will be needed for prizemoney when racing resumes.

“It is certain that the Levy Board will have a major role at that stage and beyond. Negotiating the many challenges ahead of us all will require exceptional co-operation between every sector.

“Those challenges can only be met if British racing and the betting industry work in partnership and the Levy Board will play a full and active part in ensuring that this happens.”

Funding will also be made available to jockeys, which also covers valets and agents, and trainers and their staff.