All racing ceases as country goes into lockdown to stem spread of Covid-19
By Barry Lichter • 23 March 2020
All racing in the country will cease immediately after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today the Covid-19 alert level will be raised to level 4 in 48 hours.
The number of coronavirus cases rose overnight by 36 to 102 and Ardern says New Zealand faces the potential for devastating impacts, and there was a “small window to get ahead of it”.
Ardern raised the alert level to 3 immediately, and said all non-essential services now had to close, as would all schools, she said.
Ardern said the whole country must now go into self isolation and without these measures, tens of thousands of people could die, according to medical modelling considered by Cabinet today.
“The worst case scenario is simply intolerable,” she said.
“If community transmission takes off in New Zealand, the number of cases will double every five days.
“Now is the time to put our plans into action. We are fortunate to be in some way behind the majority of overseas countries in terms of cases … but act now or risk the virus taking hold.”
She said the situation was moving at pace “and so must we”.
Ardern said the country would be under level 4 restrictions for at least four weeks but in time the level could be reduced.
“Things will look worse before they are better but hopefully these measures will slow the virus down and prevent the health system from being overwhelmed.
“All indoor and outdoor events cannot proceed. In short, we are all now preparing as a nation to go into self-isolation in the same way we have seen other countries do. Staying at home is essential.”
Ardern said the minimum period for the country to be in self isolation was four weeks.
“With everyone’s compliance, the hope is that we’ll see a slow in the trend of cases and we might then be able to lift restrictions in particular areas.”
Ardern stressed New Zealanders would continue to have access to essential services and she urged people not to panic buy at supermarkets.
The Prime Minister’s full announcement can be seen and read here:
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.31pm
“He’s not the best steering horse in the world. He’ll win races but he’s a funny horse and you can never be sure which Tyson will turn up.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.29pm
“Drawn the outside of the second line he was never going to be in the hunt last time but Maurice said he paced much better. We’re trying him in spreaders and from one on the second row he should get a better trip. It all depends on which one turns up. We know he’s capable of winning if he comes with his A game.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.30pm
“I’ve changed his bit to try to slow him down. He’s been pulling too hard. He’s an honest horse who you can never count out.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
7.30pm
“I’m always pleased with Kevin - he never runs a bad race. He gave the favourite (Mantra Blue) a bit of a fright last week and in another 20 metres I think he would have got her. It’s only 1700 metres this time and he looks a good chance. The five draw shouldn’t bother him as he can do a bit of work.”
Race 7: The Rascal
8.22pm
“I thought he was pretty good last week despite not handling the corners. I’ve put spreaders on him this time, and he’s trained well in them, so it should give him every opportunity. I rate him a winning chance.”
