Tasmanian thoroughbred racing resumed at Mowbray on Saturday with reduced field sizes and a warning that police may soon start conducting spot checks at racing venues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Before the meeting started, Tasracing ordered several late scratchings to reduce field sizes to the new maximum of 10 runners which is in keeping with government guidelines for public gatherings.
After the meeting, it sent a strongly-worded text to participants reminding them of the requirement to keep 1.5m apart and in four square metres of space.
"ALL approved essential raceday personnel are to comply with the strict social distancing requirements ... police may conduct spot checks at racing venues," the text warned.
It said that everyone needed to be vigilant with the distance requirements for the health of participants and to ensure racing continued.
Chief steward Scott Quill said stewards monitored the situation throughout the day and reminded participants and staff of their obligations when necessary.
Everyone entering the track was temperature-tested by staff of Medical Edge, the ambulance provider, and asked questions on their health and recent movements.
ALL GOODNESS FOR NEW APPRENTICE
Former Rockhampton-based apprentice Thomas Doyle landed his first Tasmanian win on Goodness Gracie in the Kevin Sharkie Maiden.
And, he did it with a copybook ride, giving the Adam Trinder-trained filly a box-seat run, one out and one back, before taking the lead on the home turn.
Doyle has had his indentures transferred to Trinder after riding 82 winners in Northern Queensland.
Trinder completed a double in the 2YO Maiden when Warrior Prince, who had been runner-up in the Magic Millions at his only previous start, proved too strong despite racing three wide.
Team Wells also trained two winners, Gee Gees Bulldog and Gee Gee Pengala, while Craig Newitt, Daniel Ganderton and Ianish Luximon all rode doubles.
Newitt opened his account on Marion Dalco's five-year-old Stinka, who came from second-last to break a run of six consecutive minor placings the Class 1 Plate.
His second winner, Rhyme Writer in the 3YO Maiden, was a great result for trainer Glenn Stevenson as the race carried $20,000 in Tasbred bonuses and three of Stevenson's family are among the owners.
The Wordsmith gelding sat just behind the speed before peeling around the two leaders at the 150m.
Daniel Ganderton produced a similar gun ride to score on the first of his two winners, Fighting Phoenix, in the Class 3 Handicap.
With three horses across the track vying for the lead, Ganderton bided his time just behind them and looked the likely winner a long way from home.
Favourite Silkstone gave a good kick but Fighting Phoenix finished the better to score by a half length.
The Mark Ganderton-trained mare now has four wins and two seconds from only eight starts.