Regional racegoers are hoping that small crowds will be permitted to attend country racing events with Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival just around the bend.
Key points:
- Racegoers are hoping small crowds will be permitted at upcoming country racing events
- The Victorian Government says it is in talks with stakeholders
Country racing clubs say the events would be COVID-safe and prioritise local racegoers
Last week, the Victorian Government significantly eased restrictions in regional areas, allowing for outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.
Racegoers are hoping restrictions will further ease to allow for crowds at upcoming events, including the Bendigo Cup on October 28 and the Kyneton Cup on November 4.
Under step three of the state's regional roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions, crowds at professional race meetings are still restricted, but bigger events will be the subject of additional work and further consideration.
In a statement, Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula said the Government was in discussions with key industry stakeholders about the possibility of small crowds at upcoming country meets.
"The roadmap for regional Victoria outlines that attendances for events such as race meetings will be considered on a case-by-case basis," Mr Pakula said.
"We're talking to racing authorities about how this will work and will have more to say in due course."
Masks a mandatory accessory
Bendigo Jockey Club CEO Aaron Hearps said the possibility of racegoers being permitted at events was an exciting prospect.
"We've planned for a number of scenarios, one of them being restricted crowds would be permitted for the Bendigo cup," Mr Hearps said.
"We'd be guided by Racing Victoria and the appropriate authorities throughout the State Government as to what we can and can't do around the protocols.
"There would be some restrictions on patrons attending from certain postcodes."
Trainers from Melbourne can head to regional areas for work purposes but must undergo temperature tests and fill in COVID-19 questionnaires.
"The protocols have certainly worked, so they would continue to be in place but they would probably be enhanced and increased significantly around spectators," Mr Hearps said.
"With social distancing rules and masks there would be a hell of a lot of restrictions still in place.
"We have to weigh up what the customer experience would look like on a racecourse under such heavy protocols and whether it'd be worthwhile in attending if they had so many restrictions upon them."
Important for small communities
Kyneton Racing Club Operations Manager Lisa Evans said she was in talks with the State Government to allow spectators at this year's Kyneton Cup.
"The priority would be owners, members and then a postcode-type scenario which would allow people in the local area first rights to attend the Kyneton cup," Ms Evans said.
"We've got a COVID-Safe plan in place, and the industry has some strict bio-security processes to enable racing to continue."
Ms Evans said it would mean a lot for the local community to be allowed to attend the Kyneton Cup.
"Racing gives people an outlet … from a broader perspective it certainly gives the community something to rally behind and a social outlet for people to come to," Ms Evans said.