COVID-19 Update: Singapore Racing Facing One-Month Shut Down

[Wandering Eyes]

Racing at the Singapore Turf Club, which had already been reduced to once a week, could be called off from Apr. 7 through May 4 in accordance with guidelines issued by the Singapore government Apr. 3, suspending all non-essential workplaces during that period.

Friday’s program at Kranji Racecourse, held spectator-free for the second straight week, went ahead as scheduled, but live racing is set to be canceled Apr. 10, Apr. 17 and Apr. 24. Racing was also due to take place May 1 and 2.

Earlier in the week, officials at the STC announced the indefinite postponement of the Singapore Derby, originally scheduled for Apr. 18. Though there has been no official word as yet, Singapore’s two biggest races–the Kranji Mile and the Lion City Cup May 23–would appear to be in limbo.

With no infrastructure to conducting pari-mutuel wagering remotely, the tracks of the Korean Racing Association remain dark. On Apr. 2, the KRA announced that the closures at Seoul and Busan Racecourses would remain in effect through at least Friday, Apr. 24. Trackwork and barrier trials continue to be unaffected.

An employee of the Japan Racing Association working at its Tokyo headquarters was diagnosed with coronavirus and three jockeys he reportedly had contact with are self-isolating at home. Their mounts for the upcoming weekend at Hanshin and Nakayama have replacement riders and racing will continue uninterrupted, before empty grandstands as has been the case for the past several weeks.

A new set of restrictions in Hong Kong meant that no owners were permitted to attend the Mar. 29 program at Sha Tin Racecourse. Officials at the Hong Kong Jockey Club subsequently worked with government officials and received permission going forward to allow a single owner to be present in the parade ring with the jockey, trainer and assistant trainer, adhering strictly to social distancing requirements. There were no post-race win photos beneath the arch at Sha Tin for its Apr. 1 meeting. Similar arrangements will be in place for Sunday’s program at Sha Tin and there will be no trophy presentation following the day’s two Group 2 features.

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