Covid Update : August 31st

With racing resuming this week, Harness Racing New Zealand wishes to clarify the do’s and don’ts under Alert Level Three and Four.

After lengthy discussions with the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Primary Industries it’s been decided horses, but not people, can move from regions that are under Alert Level Four.

For instance, horses in the Auckland region can be nominated for races at Cambridge this week (Noms close tomorrow morning at 9am), however trainers, drivers, staff etc cannot travel.

You must use an approved commercial float/truck operator and inform the club who is transporting your horses. If you do not use an approved float/truck operator you may not be turned back at the border, but you will be refused entry to the race meeting. A list of approved float/truck operators will be provided tomorrow.

If your horse is travelling to a race meeting then you need to arrange for someone to collect the horse from the transporter at the race meeting, look after your horse, gear it up, race it and return the horse to the transporter after the race for its return home. Please ensure all gear is cleaned and disinfected at both ends of the journey before putting it onto the float/truck.

The same rules apply if moving horses between level 3 regions. This means horses can go to Southland from Canterbury but not trainers, drivers or staff and vice versa. We understand those in Oamaru are caught in the middle so you are able to nominate which way you wish to travel with your horses while under level 3.

All of New Zealand, south of Auckland, goes into Alert Three at midnight tonight, with Northland set to follow on Thursday. Auckland will remain at Alert Level Four for the next fortnight, at least.

So who’s allowed on course under Alert Level Three?

Only essential staff and licence holders will be allowed on course. Owners will not be allowed. Scanning in, facemask wearing and social distancing are mandatory. There will be no food or drink available at the race course therefore you will need to bring your own. Please remember to stay home if you are unwell.

A reminder that under Alert level 4 light exercise is permitted on the grounds of animal welfare, and a trainer will know how much exercise is needed for an individual horse so that they are kept calm and in a good mental state. However under Alert 3 full training of your horses is allowed.

Upcoming meetings are Invercargill (Thursday Sept 2), Cambridge and Addington (Friday, Sept 3) and Addington (Ashburton Trotting Club) on Sunday, Sept 5.

While these are difficult times for all, HRNZ wants to thank you for adhering to these protocols so that we ensure we continue to enjoy this privilege of being able to race.

Vaccination video

A reminder that the industry has come together with the codes, RIB, and TAB NZ encouraging participants and stakeholders to get vaccinated.

To see the video click here 

For more information contact catherine@hrnz.co.nz

HRNZ