Video
Watch: Mark McNamara
Trackside's Greg O'Connor talks to Hong Kong based race caller Mark McNamara on life in Hong Kong amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and his call of the Gr.1 Hong Kong Derby on Sunday.
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New Zealand
Te Akau takes proactive measures
Te Akau Racing, one of New Zealand’s largest racing operations, has elected to turnout nearly its entire racing team as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The Matamata-based operation will only continue with a skeleton staff to handle their younger stock, while the majority of their
New Zealand
Not Business as Usual: Saundry
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bernard Saundry has cautioned all participants in racing to adhere to stringent government protocols in response to the spread of Covid-19 for both the good of the industry and the health and well-being of the nation. “For just the second time in
New Zealand
Important COVID-19 Information
Members of the NZTBA and industry participants, The Government has declared a State of Emergency and that the country’s Covid-19 response alert level will raise to Level 4 at 11.59pm, 25 March. The Government stated that this level will last for at least four weeks. The past
Australia
Group One performer Luvaluva retired
Group One performer Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) has run her last race with a tendon injury ending her racetrack career after finishing fifth in Saturday’s Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m). The John Sargent-trained mare won six of her 30 starts including the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) in 2017,
Breeding
Easter Yearling auction to be held online
The annual Australian Easter Yearling sale in Sydney will be held online with restrictions now in place over auction houses. The government has introduced stricter coronavirus containment protocols limiting gatherings. Sales company Inglis had previously put limits in place on attendance but on Wednesday said it was reviewing the process
New Zealand
NZ trainers can continue to operate
New Zealand trainers can continue to work their horses while racing is shut down under government guidelines. From midnight Wednesday, New Zealand will move to COVID-19 alert level 4 with only essential services permitted to operate. NZ Thoroughbred Racing has issued a statement outlining conditions. "Our advice from
Australia
Lockdown forces stable switch
Three quality gallopers from the Tony Pike team have transferred to Australian stables in a bid to finish their campaigns in Sydney. Group One winners The Bostonian and Sherwood Forest have switched stables to tackle the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) respectively, while
Breeding
Sydney off the agenda for Trelawney
Sydney was set to be a major focus point in the coming months for Trelawney Stud’s Brent and Cherry Taylor, however, their attention has swiftly changed with measures implemented as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cambridge couple had yearlings set to fly over to go through
International
Irish racing among sports cancelled
Racing in Ireland has been cancelled for at least a month along with all other sports during the coronavirus crisis. The Flat season got underway earlier this week with the public locked out but the Irish government said it would be off until at least April 19. Racing in Britain
Australia
Aspect Ratio heads to Vinery on Oaks path
John Sargent will be pleasantly surprised if Aspect Ratio (Declaration of War) can cause a boilover in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but believes the filly can be a genuine contender in the Gr.1 ATC Australian Oaks(2400m). Aspect Ratio is scheduled to run against star fillies
Australia
Sydney preference for Princess Jenni
Victorian trainer David Brideoake remains hopeful he can get Group One-winning mare Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral) to Sydney despite new protocols regarding the movement of participants. Brideoake has Princess Jenni nominated for Saturday's Gr.2 Emancipation (1600m) for fillies and mares at Rosehill as well as