The Government has announced that Wellington and neighbouring regions of Wairarapa and Kapiti (including Otaki) have been placed into Alert Level 2 from 6pm Wednesday June 23 until 11.59pm Sunday 27th June. 

As a consequence, the Otaki race meeting on Friday 25 June will race under “NZTR Directive COVID-19 Alert Levels 1 and 2”.

A race meeting held under Alert Level 2 may not host groups of more that 100 attendees, unless a safe operating plan to separate individual groups of up to 100 can be developed, approved by NZTR and then appropriately controlled. 

In discussion with Otaki-Maori RC, and acknowledging the short lead in time to allow for preparations, it has been decided that this meeting will be conducted as a ‘closed-door’ meeting, meaning that that the owners of horses entered, members, the public, and sponsors will be unable to attend.

NZTR and the club apologise and acknowledge that this may be a disappointment to those affected, but with insufficient time allowed to safely plan for a group (or groups) limited up to 100 persons, it was jointly determined that this restriction is justified. Under current Alert Levels (variously Level 2 and Level 1) there are no restrictions on travel for officials, jockeys or other participants. 

However, any such person working or participating at the race meeting must not attend if they experience cold or flu-like symptoms.

Announcements regarding other race or trial meetings may be made in coming days, in response to government updates and health orders.