Harness racing across the state has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The eight-race event scheduled to be held at the Lin Gordon Paceway on Tuesday night was called off late Tuesday afternoon when Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) made the decision after an industry participant came into direct contact with with a person who has contracted the COVID-19 virus.
The industry participant attended the race meeting at Penrith last Thursday night.
Leeton Harness Racing Club secretary Joanne Punch felt it was the right decision to make.
"Health is more important at the moment, and we want to make sure everyone remains healthy," she said.
"It was just a case of bad luck with this one. There isn't much we can do about it.
"It was a statewide decision, and we have just had to abide by that. Nothing that we can do it is out of our control. We were all ready to race, and we had all of our procedures in place, but these things happen."
The Leeton Club will now turn it's attention to the next event which is set for early April.
"We have another meeting on April 5 so touch wood we will be able to go ahead with that one," she said.
HRNSW hopes to resume racing as soon as Friday, pending the test results of the industry participant.
"All persons who had direct contact with the industry participant have already been notified," HRNSW said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Consequently and regrettably, HRNSW advises that harness racing will be temporarily suspended until the results of medical testing become available.
"All persons who attended the Penrith harness meeting...are advised to closely monitor their health and seek immediate medical attention should they develop flu-like symptoms."
For meetings from Friday onwards, HRNSW will draw fields to 'facilitate the recommencement of harness racing at the earliest opportunity.'
The next Riverina meeting scheduled is at Junee on Friday. Wagga races again at Riverina Paceway on Tuesday night, March 31.
RELATED