Cranbourne trainers given all-clear to resume working horses
Relief as 88 staff returned negative results after Covid-19 scare goes through provincial centre
The Victorian racing industry has breathed a collective sigh of relief after tests for Covid-19 of nearly 100 Cranbourne trainers and stable staff were yesterday returned negative, prompting “a business as usual” return to work from this morning.
Fears of a shutdown of racing, which has continued almost unabated since the coronavirus pandemic swept through the nation in March, came closer to a reality with the revelation that an employee of trainer Richard Laming had last week contracted Covid-19.
Group 1-winning trainer Wendy Kelly, who oversees one of seven stables directly affected by Friday’s scare at the Cranbourne Training Centre, told of the relief upon being informed yesterday that not only she and husband Kevin Kelly but also her staff had returned negative results to the virus tests.
Laming, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Nathan Dunn, Michael Trotter, Adrian McGregor and Tom Nikolic were also placed in lockdown on the advice of Racing Victoria’s chief medical officer while jockeys Michael Walker, Jason Benbow and apprentice Alexandra Bryan were stood down after riding work at Cranbourne last week.
Walker and Bryan were able to ride at Moe yesterday after receiving the results.
In total, 88 Cranbourne staff returned negative results for Covid-19.
Kelly said she was “ecstatic” after a difficult 36 hours not knowing whether she could have been infected.
“The best way of putting it is, it’s been a bit stressful. Everyone is very relieved this morning. All the tests have come back negative and it’s business as usual (from today),” Kelly told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“The whole thing was handled extremely professionally and amazingly swiftly. Everybody got together and it was a great team effort from Racing Victoria, the stewards, Dr (Gary) Zimmerman, the medical staff and Neil Bainbridge from the Cranbourne Turf Club as well as all our staff and all the stables that were involved.
“They were all there, they all turned up, no one grizzled or anything and had the tests done. It was really fantastic to see.”
Kelly was also forced to scratch stable newcomer Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) from the Carlyon Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Moonee Valley, a race that was later abandoned due to the heavy rain and state of the track, because of the scare.
“As it turned out, it was probably a good thing. We didn’t have to stand in the cold all day. We had planned to head to the McEwen after the Carlyon, but (Racing Victoria) were perhaps talking about putting the races on that they missed out on in a week or so,” she said.
“We will play it a little bit by ear and wait and see what Racing Victoria comes up with or whether we head straight to the McEwen.”
As for Bons Away, Kelly said the seven-year-old gelding was thriving in his new environment after being trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
“He’s had a faultless preparation, not one thing’s gone wrong with him. I have been really happy with both his trials and Craig Newitt has been really happy with him,” she said.
“We’ve got a little bit of luxury here … with the way we train, not that there’s anything wrong with anyone else’s, but being an older horse he gets out in a big day yard, so that helps with his joints.
“He came to us in fantastic order from Ciaron and he’d had a spell at (owner) Ken King’s before he came over. He’s just a lovely horse with a beautiful temperament and he is a great horse to work with.
“He is very much like his old man in that respect with his temperament.”
Meanwhile, eight of Laming’s employees who were identified as close contacts of their sick colleague are required to isolate and complete 14 days quarantine as well as undergo a second Covid-19 test before being allowed to return to work.
A deep clean of the Cranbourne Training Centre and stables directly impacted was completed yesterday to allow work to resume.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson took comfort from the fact that the industry’s safety protocols appeared to be working.
“This underlines the importance and benefit of the strict biosecurity protocols that we have had in place since mid-March to allow for the safe conduct of over 1800 races here in Victoria,” Thompson said.
“I want to thank all of the impacted stables and their staff for their swift actions since Friday night and their willingness to make important sacrifices for the benefit of the industry during that period.
“I also want to extend the best wishes of all within the industry to the stablehand that has tested positive to the virus. Our welfare staff are engaged with the individual and will continue to support them throughout the coming weeks.”
Thompson urged industry stakeholders to remain vigilant about the dangers of coronavirus.
“This incident should serve as a timely reminder to all within our industry of the critical importance of following both government directives and our industry biosecurity protocols to ensure the safe continuation of training and racing in Victoria,” he said.
“I once again implore everyone in our industry to continue doing the right thing. If you or someone in your household is feeling unwell, don’t go to work.”