Terang Racing Club prepares for hosting duties under new system

HRV, since Thursday, has devided the state into six regions and participants can only race in their region.

Roberts said it means only nine of the 28 Victorian tracks will be used.

Terang is part of the west region so local drivers and trainers can only race at Terang and Stawell.

Roberts is pleased racing can still go ahead. He said the club had introduced strict measures to protect people from the spread of coronavirus.

"It's strictly participants-only and they're encouraged to leave the track as soon as possible once they finish," he said.

Fields are also restricted to eight starters with two emergencies.

In addition, the club has introduced infrared testing (for temperature) at its doors.

"If they're over the threshold, they won't get access," he said.

According to present HRV rules that threshold is a temperature of 37.6 degrees or above.

HRV has also tightened up its scheduling with an amended racing calendar coming out in two-week blocks.

The previous feature events were cancelled. It means there won't be metropolitan-based racing.

"At this stage we're racing more frequently than planned," Roberts said.

Terang is set to host a meet on Tuesday night.

Roberts said the club would continue to respond to updated policies and procedures regarding the pandemic.

The HRV has a list of COVID-19 race-day requirements which must be adhered to at all meets.

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Mother-son racing combination Marg and Jason Lee, based near Terang, have welcomed the regulations.

The Lee family has eight runners racing on Tuesday night.

"They're (HRV) doing their best to keep harness racing going and we'll go along with what they're doing," Marg said.

The trainer added they were having a bit of a holiday from the sport because they'd usually travel numerous places around Victoria.

Jason, a driver, is pleased racing is still going but understands the seriousness of the pandemic.

"The way things are, not only in Australia but in the world, racing becomes quite small," he said.

"You look at the bigger picture and for us to be still racing, we're pretty fortunate."

Harness racing is Jason's sole income but he believes he would manage if racing stopped because he also helps on the family's dairy farm at south Ecklin.

His younger brother Paddy, who trains horses, is in a similar position.

"We're lucky enough to have the farm behind us," Jason said.

But Jason understands there are other people in the industry not as fortunate as themselves, who would struggle financially without racing.

The driver said he had been earning enough prize money, since coronavirus restrictions kicked in, to cover general costs.

"It's made it a lot more comfortable that we've been able to keep racing," he said.

HRV's new calendar features three tiers of prize money worth $12,000, $8000 and $7000.

The tiered system is designed to ensure all competitors, in the six regions, have a fair chance to earn prize money.

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