Covid scare forces Laming stable to lockdown
Cranbourne trainer Richard Laming was last night forced to scratch his two runners from today’s Moonee Valley card and his stables placed in lockdown after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
All staff at Laming’s stable are now set to undergo testing today following what is believed to be the first known Covid positive in the Australian racing industry.
In a voice message sent to owners, Laming said: “Sorry for the late report but unfortunately I’ve been made aware late this afternoon that one of our staff members has tested positive to Covid. I have been in contact with the stewards and we’ve had to scratch our weekend runners and also our stable is in lockdown for the weekend.
“All our staff now have to be tested for Covid tomorrow and all our horses are quarantined in our stabling areas tomorrow and Sunday and maybe even further until we get all the tests back.
“I have been in contact with the stewards, we’re going by all the rules and protocols and I am guided by them.”
Racing Victoria last night confirmed that an extensive testing program is now set to be undertaken.
“Racing Victoria (RV) can confirm that it was advised late today by Cranbourne trainer Richard Laming that a staff member from his stable has tested positive to Covid-19,’’ the statement said.
“The staff member last worked at the stables last Sunday, was tested on Wednesday and was confirmed as a positive case today.
“Mr Laming has had only one starter in the past eight days, which was at Sandown on Wednesday. The staff member was not in attendance.
“As a result of the notification, RV Stewards, acting on the advice of RV’s chief medical officer, have placed Mr Laming’s stables into lockdown whilst the matter is further investigated.
“Mr Laming’s two acceptors at The Valley tomorrow – both of which were emergencies – will be withdrawn so that no staff members will be in attendance. The stable has no other acceptors at this time.
“RV is working with Mr Laming to have all of his staff members tested tomorrow. Until such time as they have been cleared by the chief medical officer to return to work, all have been asked to isolate at home.
“RV is currently undertaking contact tracing and further investigative work to determine whether other Cranbourne stables and/or industry participants will be required to stand down pending testing.”
Today’s Moonee Valley meeting is expected to go ahead but a final decision will be made this morning.
Yesterday’s news comes after Mornington trainer Jason Warren scratched his runners from weekend meetings on August 8 and 9 after one of his staff underwent Covid-19 testing. They later returned a negative result.