THE south-west's racing bosses are praising their participants' efforts in making it possible for their respective sports to continue during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The praise from Terang Harness Racing Club manager Mark Roberts, Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club general manager Craig Monigatti and Warrnambool Racing Club CEO Tom O'Connor follows Premier Daniel Andrews confirming on Monday all three codes have the green light to continue for the foreseeable future.
Andrews said the industry could continue on animal welfare grounds but also said the industry's protocols made racing a "low-risk activity".
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Terang hosts a trots meet on Wednesday night, Warrnambool Racing Club will race on Thursday while the greyhounds are set for their usual Thursday night meet at Wannon Park.
The south-west racing industry has only had one breach of COVID-19 protocols.
Apprentice jockey Teo Nugent has been stood down until further medical assessments are undertaken after he potentially breached protocols this week.
O'Connor agreed with the premier's comments, adding sticking to the strict protocols was critical for the industry to continue.
"The biggest challenge is to continue to implement the protocols and continuing to be flexible and nimble to be able to adapt when it's needed," he said.
"One thing I have observed is the industry has been able to keep themselves further down the track with protocols then where others might actually be.
"Being proactive and preempting conditions and having extra protocols allows us to keep the industry going."
Monigatti said the decision was "fantastic" for the industry.
"We're very happy we're able to keep racing. It keeps the trainers and animals active and gives the trainers the chance to earn their normal income," he said.
"It's important from an animal welfare perspective as they can stay fit and active."
Monigatti said the code's strict protocols meant greyhound racing carried minimal risk.
"The restrictions are absolutely above and beyond what we're seeing in the general community," he said.
"They've been working very well. We haven't even had a close call or anything like that."
He revealed COVID-19 had influenced an influx of nominations at Warrnambool.
"In this period where the South Australian border has been closed we've had a lot of trainers and greyhounds who would normally race at Mount Gambier and the like coming here," Monigatti said.
"It's certainly helped us and we've had good nominations at both Thursday and Monday meetings."
Roberts echoed the thoughts of O'Connor and Monigatti around protocols and continuing for the benefit of the participants and animals in the industry.
HRV returned to regional-based racing when stage three restrictions returned for metropolitan Melbourne.
Roberts said the club was still getting strong nominations for its meets with an eight-race card to hit the track on Wednesday night.
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