National Trotguide
TABCORP Park Melton will host the Inter Dominion Finals

Crisis mode as track declared potential Tier-1 site

Paul Courts

VICTORIAN harness racing is in crisis mode this morning after receiving news which has the potential to force the industry state-wide to shutdown.

Last night the Department of Health and Human Services advised Harness Racing Victoria its main track – Tabcorp Park Melton – is potentially a Tier-1 Covid-19 exposure site.

The alarm came after it was discovered a participant at the Monday, August 2 meeting has tested positive to Covid-19.

As such everyone who was at the venue during the day is required to self isolate until a negative Covid-19 test has been returned.

This includes prominent names such as Zac Phillips, John Caldow, Chris Alford, Lance Justice and Jodi Quinlan to name a few.

The problem then expands to close contacts at home and around the stable along with those who attended other meetings such as Alford and Josh Duggan who drove in Echuca the following night.

Using the same pair as examples only, Alford and Duggan were both or either also at Bendigo on the Wednesday, Ballarat on Friday, Melton on Saturday, Kilmore on Sunday, Maryborough on Monday and Shepparton last night.

It is believed, however, the infected participant did not come into contact with any other licence holder.

Although tonight’s Tabcorp Park Melton meeting has been cancelled HRV chief executive Dayle Brown stated is it too early to know the impact this could have on the industry.

“Just after midnight last night we received notification from the DHHS that a participant who attended the August 2 Tabcorp Park meeting had tested positive post the meeting,” Brown said.

“We quickly assembled our Covid team and worked with the DHHS on the basis Tabcorp Park was potentially a Tier-1 site and sent a text to all participants who attended that meeting, instructing them to isolate and get tested.

“The key question is whether the participant had been exposed before attending the meeting. That’s for the DHHS to establish and we’re awaiting more information as the day unfolds.

“It’s an evolving situation and far too early to suggest any scenario. We are working closely with the DHHS to run this to ground and get more clarity.”