NSW confirms Victorian greyhound trainer lockout
The NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) and Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) have today confirmed that due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions, Victorian greyhound trainers will not be able to nominate greyhounds for NSW greyhound races and the Million Dollar Chase series. They can, however, transfer greyhounds to compete under NSW trainers.
The confirmation of the effective ban comes with the Million Dollar Chase series set commence on 1 September 2020.
At present, the NSW Government regulations and restrictions state that the border between NSW and Victoria remains closed, and that from 12.01am Friday, 7 August 2020, all NSW residents returning from Victoria must go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense, and that all returning NSW residents, unless they live within the NSW border regions, will only be allowed to return to NSW through Sydney Airport.
GRNSW announced when the borders were closed last month that it would not be accepting any nominations from trainers domiciled in Victoria, and this remains the case.
It is possible for Victorian greyhounds to compete in NSW, but they must be transferred into the kennels of a trainer domiciled in NSW, as the case was during the Queensland winter carnival when those borders were closed.
While the Queensland border is due to be shut to NSW and ACT residents tonight, at present Queenslanders are free and able to travel to NSW.
However, anyone from Queensland – and any other states – who do travel to NSW to race must be aware of their obligations and requirements when returning to their home state.
If an interstate trainer is planning to base themselves in NSW for any period, they need to notify GWIC of this and supply their proposed location and contact details.
Please be aware that all COVID-19 biosecurity measures will remain in place at all NSW racetracks, including temperature testing at the gate of venues, everyone being required to continue social distancing, and the availability of face masks on track.
As the COVID-19 situation is a rapid and constantly moving one, GRNSW and GWIC will continue update all participants of any changes to racing restrictions.