South Australian Racing Given Green Light

A Racing SA press release outlined the conditions under which horse racing can continue during the current COVID lockdown in the state, reported racingsa.com.au. Racing SA CEO Nick Redin wrote, "I am pleased to advise that the COVID-19 Directions released at 11:18pm last night include essential racing participants as authorised workers (Schedule 3, 1-(zw)). Under the Directions, racing and training will be able to continue with essential persons only permitted to attend these activities with additional protocols in place. Unfortunately, this means that Owners are not permitted to attend race meetings or training unless they are actively engaged and have the appropriate license in place. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the State Government, the State Coordinator and SA Health for permitting racing to continue, as it has in all other mainland States, during this period. It is extremely important from an equine welfare perspective that horses in work can continue to be exercised." Yesterday's Gawler meeting was postponed as Racing SA sought the above clarification from authorities and it will now be conducted on Thursday 29 July. Saturday's Morphettville meeting will proceed, which gives two more metropolitan meetings for the season. Currently Jess Eaton and Todd Pannell are tied with 62 winners each on the Adelaide Metro Jockey Premiership, while Michael Hickmott holds a small lead over Tony and Calvin McEvoy in the Trainers Premiership.