COVID-19 Update 5 September
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
RACING NSW ROAD MAP - UPDATED 24 NOVEMBER 2021
Racing NSW has conducted a review of its COVID-19 policies having regard to the current situation in NSW/ACT and has made amendments that can be found here.
NOTICE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS - UPDATED PROTOCOLS (5 September 2021)
**TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH PREVIOUS RELEASES**
Requirement to Adhere to ACT Health Orders and CRC/Racing NSW COVID-19 Policies and Protocols
The Canberra Racing Club thanks the vast majority of ACT racing participants that have complied with the ACT Health Orders and CRC/Racing NSW COVID-19 policies and protocols that have been implemented to protect the health and safety of ACT thoroughbred racing industry participants and the livelihood of all involved. The Club also acknowledges that many have made great sacrifice to ensure these polices and protocols have been complied with.
The unfortunate recent occurrences in Victoria and here in the ACT involving a small number of licensed participants outlines how the health, safety and livelihoods of all thoroughbred industry participants can be jeopardised by the actions of a select few.
Whilst the industry has been able to continue to operate during the pandemic, the Club takes this opportunity to ask participants to remain steadfast with their compliance to the CRC/Racing NSW policies and protocols, and of course all ACT health orders, which are summarised at the link below.
Click Here - Stay At Home Orders
Participants are encouraged to continue to monitor the Club's website for COVID-19 updates at the link below to ensure compliance to all COVID-19 requirements and contact CRC/Racing NSW Stewards if they have any questions.
COVID-19 Update 27 August 2021
The Canberra Racing Club wishes to advise that the TAB Federal Benchmark 75 1000m due on the race meeting of 3 September 2021 will be transferred to Queanbeyan on Monday 6 September 2021.
The remainder of the races scheduled for 3 September 2021 meeting will be abandoned. Due to the on-going COVID-19 restrictions in the ACT, the Club has been unable to acquire an exemption for NSW Jockeys to ride at Thoroughbred Park and therefore have insufficient riders to run a race meeting. This meeting was unable to be transferred in full to Queanbeyan due to the close proximity to the existing meeting at Queanbeyan.
Should the current COVID-19 restrictions in the ACT remain in place the next meeting of the Canberra Racing Club, scheduled for 17 September 2021 will be transferred to NSW and run in full.
Club officials will continue to work diligently with all stakeholders including ACT Health, Racing NSW, Queanbeyan Racing Club and ACT participants.
COVID-19 Update 17 August 2021
The Canberra Racing Club has just received advice from the Chief Health Officer (CHO) of the ACT that our request for an exemption to run the race meeting at Thoroughbred Park on 20 August has not been approved. Unfortunately the meeting will be abandoned.
The CHO agreed to review the clubs request in one weeks time for the clubs next race meeting on 3 September. The club will continue to actively work with ACT health to secure an exemption for future meetings and an exemption for ACT Jockeys to be able to ride at race meetings in regional NSW.
For any questions please contact Andrew Clark CEO 0400 454 706
COVID-19 Update 12 August 2021
The Canberra Racing Club wishes to advise of important information following the recent announcement of a seven-day lockdown in the ACT from 5pm 12 August 2021.
Essential workers including stable staff are permitted to continue to work at Thoroughbred Park with all required to wear a mask at all times, check in via the Check In CBR app upon arrival, maintain physical distancing and practise good hand hygiene.
The ACT Government have declared all of NSW as a COVID-19 affected area however essential workers are able to enter the ACT without an exemption if they reside in one of the following postcodes;
Postcodes
Included areas
2581
Gunning, Collector
2582
Murrumbateman, Yass
2584
Binalong
2611
Uriarra
2618
Wallaroo, areas along the ACT’s north-western edge
2619
Jerrabomberra
2620
Queanbeyan, Googong, Karabar, Sutton, Gundaroo
2621
Bungendore
2623
Captains Flat
2626
Bredbo, Michelago
For the race meeting scheduled for Friday 20 August 2021, only horses from the ACT as well as the areas above will be permitted to race. Exemptions are currently being sought for regional jockeys as there are insufficient jockeys within the ACT and areas listed above.
If the seven-day lockdown ends as planned at 5pm Thursday 19 August. The race meeting on Friday 20 August will move ahead in accordance with restrictions that are in place at the time. In the event that the lockdown is extended, the meeting will continue with essential personnel only, provided regional exemptions for regional jockeys are received. If no exemptions for regional jockeys are received, the race meeting scheduled for Friday 20 August will be abandoned.
Horses travelling from the ACT to NSW racetracks (besides Queanbeyan) will have to transfer their horses at one of the above areas. If any participant attends a race meeting in NSW (besides Queanbeyan) they must comply with current and possible future ACT Government mandates.
COVID-19 Exclusions for 6 August Race Meeting at Thoroughbred Park Canberra
The Canberra Racing Club wishes to advise that participants, horses and patrons travelling from the following areas will be excluded from the race meeting scheduled for Friday 6 August at Thoroughbred Park.
Greater SydneyWollongongBlue Mountains
Central Coast ShellharbourWingecarribee Shire Council
Armidale Regional Council
Cessnock City Council
Coffs Harbour City Council
Dubbo Regional Council
Dungog Shire Council
Lake Macquarie City Council
Maitland City Council
Mid-Western Regional Council
Muswellbrook Shire Council
Newcastle City Council
Port Stephens Council
Shoalhaven City Council
Singleton Council
The Club will continue to work with ACT Health and Racing NSW to ensure the safety of participants, patrons and the wider community. Trainers are encouraged to consider jockey locations when making bookings ahead of this upcoming race meeting.
For more information, please contact Mr Andrew Clark, CEO, by phone on (02) 6204 0000 or visit the official ACT COVID-19 website at: www.covid19.act.gov.au.
COVID-19 Update 12 March 2021
The Canberra Racing Club will return to regular racing operations with free entry into Thoroughbred Park on non-feature race days reinstated from Wednesday 17 March 2021.
The Black Opal Room has also returned to traditional operations with Members able to freely enter without prior booking. Bookings for tables in the Black Opal Room are recommended for those without a permanent table and can be done so by calling (02) 6204 0000.
Patrons no longer have to pre-book for race days however checking in via the CBR app upon arrival is mandatory. Race days at Thoroughbred Park will continue to follow current ACT Government Covid regulations.
COVID-19 Update 1 March 2021
The Canberra Racing Club is delighted to announce that a further 1,000 patrons will now be able to attend each day of the Canberra Carnival this Canberra Day long-weekend. This afternoon the Club received notification from ACT Health that up to 3,000 patrons can attend both the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes on Sunday 7 March and TAB Canberra Cup Day on Monday 8 March.
The extension will see Canberra Racing Club members and owners of horses racing at the meeting welcomed into the grounds with Members receiving automatic entry with their membership card.
Those without a ticket or membership already who wish to attend John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day will need to sign up to be a Member of the Canberra Racing Club or be an owner of a horse running on the day.
General admission tickets remain available for the family-focused TAB Canberra Cup Day via Ticketek.
COVID-19 Update 19 February 2021
Following revised restrictions from ACT Government, the Club will today lodge applications for increased crowd numbers for both the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day and TAB Canberra Cup Day.
We are working diligently with ACT Health to comply with all relevant protocols ensuring the ability to increase number of patrons attending the Carnival.
ACT Health have advised the earliest review of the application may be late next week, the outcome will be advised to the community as a matter of priority once received by the Club.
COVID-19 Update 27 January 2021
In consultation with Racing NSW stewards, the Canberra Racing Club wishes to advise updates to COVID-19 border restrictions made by ACT Government relevant to travelling participants and patrons. The ACT Government has lifted hotspot declarations on all local government areas except for Cumberland and consequently, participants travelling from previously excluded areas such as Rosehill Gardens and Wawrick Farm are now allowed to enter the ACT and Thoroughbred Park. This update also allows local participants to travel their horses to Sydney freely.
Anyone who has entered Cumberland LGA, ACT residents included, are still require to quarantine for 14 days when entering the ACT and are therefore excluded from attending race meetings at Thoroughbred Park.
For more information, please contact Ms Amy Squires, Canberra Racing Club Chief Operating Officer, by phone on (02) 6204 0000 or visit the official ACT COVID-19 website at: www.covid19.act.gov.au.
Numbers for race meetings are limited to comply with current COVID-19 regulations. Members, Owners and the General Public are welcome with bookings strongly encouraged. Bookings can be made by calling (02) 6204 0000.
COVID-19 Exclusions for 29 December Race Meeting at Thoroughbred Park Canberra
In consultation with Racing NSW stewards, the Canberra Racing Club wishes to advise horses, participants and patrons travelling from the listed areas below will be excluded from the race meeting scheduled for Tuesday 29th December at Thoroughbred Park. Recent border restrictions imposed by the ACT Government requires anyone entering the ACT from the below local government areas to quarantine for 14 days within the ACT, thereby excluding those from:
Bayside LGA (excluding transit via Sydney airport), Blacktown City LGA,Blue Mountains City LGA, Burwood LGA, Camden LGA, Campbelltown City LGA, Canada Bay City LGA, Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, Central Coast LGA, Cumberland LGA, Fairfield City LGA ,Georges River LGA , Hawkesbury City LGA. Hornsby Shire LGA. Hunter's Hill Municipality LGA, Inner West LGA, Ku-ring-gai LGA, Liverpool City LGA, Lane Cove Municipality LGA, Mosman Municipality LGA, North Sydney LGA, Parramatta City LGA, Penrith City LGA, Randwick City LGA, Ryde City LGA, Strathfield Municipality LGA, Sutherland Shire LGA, Sydney City LGA, The Hills Shire LGA, Waverley LGA, Willoughby City LGA, Wollondilly Shire LGA, Wollongong LGA, Woollahra City LGA
The Club will continue to work with ACT Health and Racing NSW to ensure the safety of participants, patrons and the wider community. Trainers are encouraged to consider jockey locations when making bookings ahead of this upcoming race meeting.
For more information, please contact Mr Andrew Clark, Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Officer, by phone on (02) 6204 0000 or visit the official ACT COVID-19 website at: www.covid19.act.gov.au.
Crowds of 2,000 Allowed for Each Day of the Canberra Carnival
The Canberra Racing Club is delighted to announce the office of the Chief Health Officer has approved crowds of up to 2,000 for both days of the 2021 Canberra Carnival. Held on the Canberra Day long-weekend, the second annual Canberra Carnival will again feature John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day on Sunday 7 March and TAB Canberra Cup Day on Monday 8 March.
These will see the biggest crowds at Thoroughbred Park since the inaugural Canberra Carnival in 2020 which saw over 10,000 happy patrons through the gates across the two days. Although these figures won’t be replicated in 2021, Canberra Racing Club CEO Andrew Clark is excited to be able to host so many keen racegoers once again.
“We are pleased and grateful to be able to provide the Canberra community with an opportunity to get out and celebrate with us again.” Clark said.
“The Carnival is one of Canberra’s major events and brings with it a whole host of economic benefits for the community through inward domestic tourism. We thank the ACT Government for working collaboratively with us.”
Tickets will be in high demand with an exclusive Members only booking period beginning at 9am Monday 21 December. Bookings will open for the general public on Thursday 14 January 2021.
The Club will continue to work diligently with the ACT Government as restrictions change.
COVID-19 Update 31 August 2020
Racing NSW has today announced the introduction of phase two of the easing of restrictions permitting horses to travel from Victoria into NSW/ACT.
Phase two will allow all horses currently located in Victoria to be transported into NSW/ACT, subject to the Racing NSW Policy for the Transportaion of Horses from Victoria.
The requirements of the policy include;
• Cleansing of transport vehicles prior to travelling into NSW/ACT;
• Use of one transport driver;
• Application being made to and approval by Racing NSW Stewards prior to transportation;
• Horses to be transported to a spelling property or pre-training property that is not located on a NSW/ACT racecourse and horses must not be transported directly to a NSW/ACT racecourse or licensed stables and must remain on the spelling property or pre-training property for a minimum of 48 hours prior to being transported to a racecourse of licensed stable;
• All personnel undertake social distancing when loading and unloading horses;
• Ensuring all gear used to transport the horses to be returned to the transport vehicle once the horse has been unloaded;
• Declaration of person at NSW/ACT property that receives horses confirming compliance with Racing NSW Policy for Transportation of Horses from Victoria.
COVID-19 Update 26 August 2020
Racing NSW today as announced the introduction of phase one of the easing of restrictions permitting horses to travel from Victoria into NSW/ACT.
Phase one will allow horses not currently located in the Melbourne Greater Metropolitan Area still subject to Stage 4 restrictions, to be transported intt NSW, subject to the Racing NSW Policy for the Transportation of Horses from Victoria.
The requirements of the policy include;
• Cleansing of transport vehicles prior to travelling into NSW;
• Use of one transport driver;
• Application being made to and approval by Racing NSW Stewards prior to transportation;
• Horses to be transported to a spelling property or pre-training property that is not located on a NSW/ACT racecourse and horses must not be transported directly to a NSW/ACT racecourse or licensed stables and must remain on the spelling property or pre-training property for a minimum of 48 hours prior to being transported to a racecourse of licensed stable;
• All personnel undertake social distancing when loading and unloading horses;
• Ensuring all gear used to transport the horses to be returned to the transport vehicle once the horse has been unloaded;
• Declaration of person at NSW/ACT property that receives horses confirming compliance with Racing NSW Policy for Transportation of Horses from Victoria.
COVID-19 Update 8 August 2020
Any person (including Essential Personnel) that resides in Victoria or has travelled to Victoria (irrespective of whether a work permit has been issued) may attend Thoroughbred Park only after they complete a period of 14 days self-isolation in NSW away from a racecourse or licensed premises. Such persons must contact Racing NSW Stewards at the commencement of their self-isolation and provide location where they will self-isolate and date of commencement.
To return to Thoroughbred Park after the 14 day self-isolation period the person must obtain a COVID-19 test after the 14 day self-isolation period and must not return to Thoroughbred Park until evidence of the COVID-19 test returning a negative result is provided to the Stewards.
COVID-19 Update 1 July 2020
The Canberra Racing Club is delighted to announce that Owners, Members and Sponsors will be welcomed back to Thoroughbred Park effective from the next scheduled race meeting on 24 July 2020.
The Club has been working closely with the ACT Government and its colleagues at Racing NSW to achieve the return of patrons to Thoroughbred Park. The Club has developed a detailed COVID-19 Safety Plan to ensure the health of patrons and participants is not compromised.
STABLE VISITS
Thoroughbred barrier trials and track work (including access to licensed training stables) at Thoroughbred Park will not be open to the public (including horse owners) until further notice.
Numbers for 24 July 2020 and beyond are limited to comply with current COVID-19 regulations, with patrons segregated from participants. Bookings are strictly required.
Patrons must continue to abide by existing COVID-19 Protocols including social distancing of 1.5 metres, sufficient space for one person per 4 square metres, good hygiene practices at all times and unwell persons must not access Thoroughbred Park.
All persons attending Thoroughbred Park are encouraged to download and have operational the COVIDSafe app, including having their Bluetooth settings turned on whilst attending.
Our aims continue to be;
• Protect the health and safety of our Staff and Racing Industry participants
• Minimise the spread of COVID-19 within our community by engaging in best practices
• Maintain business continuity
• Maintain the ability for Thoroughbred Park to continue as a training centre
COVID-19 Update 23 March 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we now provide vital updates to all members in light of the current crisis affecting Australia. The Canberra Racing Club has been advised that racing is excluded from the Stage 1 Social Distancing announcements made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last evening. Thoroughbred race meetings at Thoroughbred Park will continue to proceed under strict biosecurity risk management protocols in accordance with Government and health authority advice. Canberra Racing Club will continue to apply and update these protocols in accordance with advice from government and health authorities to ensure the safety of all industry participants.
These updates will serve as a clear communication of the strategy, policies, and procedures the Club has developed and will continue to evolve thus ensuring to the best of our ability the Clubs navigation and compliance with all Government, Industry and Club obligations.
Over the past week we have received many inquiries on various issues and concerns from Members and Industry Participants. It is our hope that these updates will provide the relevant information and assurances to all as this situation unfolds.
Our aims continue over the following months are;
• Protect the health and safety of our Staff and Racing Industry participants
• Minimise the spread of COVID-19 within our community by engaging in best practices
• Maintain business continuity
• Maintain the ability for Thoroughbred Park to continue as a training centre
PARTICIPANT ONLY RACE MEETINGS
As of the 3rd April and all foreseeable race days, Thoroughbred Park will be running participant only race meetings with the following guidelines in place which have also been adopted in NSW:
Attendance will only be provided to essential personnel, which on race day is restricted to the following:
• Stewards and Veterinarians
• Trainers, Jockeys and Stable hands with a runner at the race meeting. Trainers and Stable hands will only be allowed on course until their race has been run. When Jockeys commitments are finished for the day they will also leave the course
• Barrier Attendants, Starters and essential Track Staff
• Clerks of Course
• Judges and Sectional Timing Teams
• Weighing Room Staff and Jockeys Attendants
• Race day Event Staff and security including horse stalls, mounting yards and float car park
• Ambulance Services
• Farriers and other essential service providers approved by Canberra Racing Club
• Broadcast services including Race Caller
• Restricted Core Racing Media as approved by Canberra Racing Club
• Restricted operational Race Club staff and management
No on-course wagering facilities will be available and essential personnel will be required to leave the racecourse after their horses have run.
Access will not be permitted to any essential personnel that:
• Is suffering from coronavirus symptoms or is otherwise unwell;
• Has been to a country considered at higher risk of COVID-19 in the past 14 days, currently mainland China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea;
• Is subject to self-isolation requirements imposed by the Government; or
• Has been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus.
Further, if any essential personnel is in a high-risk group such as older people or people with underlying illnesses that make them more vulnerable to respiratory disease, including those with diabetes, chronic lung disease, kidney failure and people with suppressed immune systems, that person should not attend race meetings, barrier trials or track work (including accessing licensed training stables).
Access to Thoroughbred Park will be via two entrances which will be manned for the duration of the race meeting from 9am to after the completion of the last Barrier Trial. All other gates to access Thoroughbred Park will be locked. Should Thoroughbred Park be accessed by an individual who is not deemed as an essential person they will be asked to leave and will face disciplinary action. This is achievable due to the small number of patrons who are allowed on course in combination with the fact that the essential personal are easily recognisable.
OTHER CHANGES
A number of profit generating areas of the Club have been affected by COVID-19. As a consequence, all expenses within the Club are being reviewed and I would like to thank Members and Trainers for their support during this difficult time. Some of the specific changes that will be implemented for race meetings are as follows:
• The Members Tipping Competition will be postponed until normal racing resumes.
• Until further notice Canberra Form Racebooks will not be produced and placed online. All relevant race information will still be available via Racing Australia.
Once again I would like to thank our Members and Trainers for your support. Stay safe and healthy and we as a community will get through this together. I will continue to provide updates as they come to hand.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office on 02 6204 0000 or myself directly should you have any queries.
Andrew Clark
Chief Executive Officer
Canberra Racing Club
23 March 2020