NZTR has considered the situation for trainers based north of the Auckland and Waikato boundary wishing to trial or race their horses in the Waikato or beyond, subject to the government COVID-19 Alert Levels that are in place as at 13 August 2020.

Whilst the present government legislation generally prohibits persons leaving the Auckland super-city region and entering the Waikato, an exemption is provided to transport and logistics services.

Therefore, NZTR advises that trainers with horses stabled north of the Auckland and Waikato boundary can nominate for trial or races in the Waikato or beyond, provided that:

1. the horse and its associated gear (suitably disinfected) is transported to and return from the meeting by an independent horse freight company, loaded and unloaded in compliance with the freight company’s COVID-19 protocols; and
2. the horse is not accompanied by the trainer or other stable staff; and
3. the trainer must notify the RIU the name of the licenced Trainer or Stablehand who will be responsible for the horse when at the race or trial meeting.

NZTR understands that these requirements are not as simple as would be desired, but does provide the necessary certainty to enable nominations.