It was announced in WA today that Willie Pike, that state’s best jockey, will move to Sydney.
He, like Novak Djokovic, remains an ardent non-vaccinated advocate, and as such, believes he will be allowed to ride in NSW as an unvaccinated athlete.
Bringing that claim into question was a message sent to owners and trainers wishing to attend the Newcastle races tomorrow.
It said: Hi trainers, be advised that you and your staff are required to be fully vaccinated for Covid to attend Newcastle races tomorrow.
Conversely, I asked the Wyong Jockey Club if they would allow unvaccinated people into the meet today and they said yes.
So, upshot, confusion remains supreme as to which tracks, and Jockey Clubs will allow those who choose to get vaccinated and those who choose not to get vaccinated to attend or not.
Presumably that applies to riders as well.
Mind you, if they prevent a jockey from riding, they could be looking at restraint of trade suits.
Like Forrest Gump once said, “life is like a box of chocolates.”
