Australian meeting cancelled due to rise in Covid-19 cases

Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick Farm racecourse in Australia has been cancelled following a number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the surrounding area south of Sydney.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said the risk of running the Warwick Farm meeting and potentially spreading the virus was considered too great as New South Wales starts to feel the effects of a second wave of the virus.

There are a number of positive coronavirus cases confirmed to have originated from the Liverpool City Council area, where Warwick Farm racecourse is located.

"Racing NSW has introduced strict bio-security measures to ensure racing has been able to continue to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic," V'Landys said.

"The decision to abandon Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting has been made following a risk assessment performed by Racing NSW and the uncertainty in respect of the spread of the virus in that area.

"Racing NSW emphasises that this is a precautionary measure to ensure that the hard work of the industry in continuing to operate during Covid-19 is not compromised."

He added: "Racing NSW will continue to monitor the Covid-19 developments in New South Wales and shall continue to react to ensure the livelihood of its 50,000 participants during the pandemic."

Last week American jockeys Luis Saez and Victor Espinoza were stood down from riding duties in the United States after testing positive for coronavirus.

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