THE Border's two biggest trainers have been forced to reassess their stable operations after new coronavirus restrictions came into force on Tuesday.
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Both NSW and Victorian racing authorities have banned interstate industry participants from attending racetracks.
Horses are still allowed to race in either state but under strict conditions.
Float drivers can cross from either state but trainers and staff are prohibited.
Racing was suspended in Victoria at Sandown on Wednesday after two races when it became apparent an industry participant had been on the same flight as a confirmed COVID-19 sufferer on March 12.
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Thursday's meetings at Kilmore and Pakenham are also cancelled until Racing Victoria receives confirmation of the results of the test.
Both Mitch Beer and Craig Widdison said they were unlikely to race interstate in the current circumstances.
Wodonga has a TAB meeting on Saturday while Wagga will also race on Monday.
Both trainers had runners nominated for each of the meetings but will now instead stick to racing in their own state.
"I'll probably just accept with as many runners as I can at Wodonga now," Widdison said.
"It's not ideal because most of my stable at the moment are better suited to racing the NSW way of going.
"I'm unlikely to head to Wagga now.
"Those runners might have to go to Benalla next Friday instead."
Albury's leading trainer echoed Widdison's thoughts.
"It's not worth the hassle and I won't be racing at Wodonga now," Beer said.
In a cross Border anomaly both trainers have staff that live interstate.
Beer said most of his Victorian staff would temporarily relocate to NSW so they could keep earning an income.
"I have a large number of my staff that are based in Victoria," Beer said.
"When the email from Racing NSW came through on Tuesday with the new restrictions on racing participants I called an emergency meeting with my staff.
"It was incredible really but the staff volunteered to temporarily move to this side of the border.
"Most people consider that Albury-Wodonga is one city.
"It just happens to have a river that runs through the middle of it."
