The wait is on for three top Sydney based jockeys to see if they will get the green light to ride in Melbourne in the coming weeks.
James McDonald, High Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy have all requested entry exemptions with regard to being able to cross from New South Wales into Victoria. The final decision on the granting or the rejecting of those requests, as well as the detailing of any conditions that might be attached should they get a positive outcome, rests with the Victorian Department of Health.
Earlier this week Racing Victoria indicated that this possible pathway was now open to any rider wanting to apply, but Racing Victoria also indicated that exemption numbers were limited and would only be granted in special circumstances.
If the green light flashes, Racing Victoria itself will bring into effect Isolation procedures and Covid-19 testing for any of the travelling jockeys before they would be allowed to attend any Victorian racecourse. Any conditions that the Victorian Government might see fit to impose will come on top of the protocols already set by Racing Victoria.
During the past twelve months the Queensland Government allowed a host of special exemptions to sportsmen to allow the NRL season to take place and be completed.
It remains to be seen whether the Victorian Government has enough of a similar soft spot for these racing identities to grant their requests.
