TRAINER Mitch Beer's stable has been thrown into chaos after Racing NSW announced further restrictions for industry participants on Wednesday.
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NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel confirmed movement of racehorses from Victoria into NSW is banned indefinitely.
Stewards have also instructed any registered participant that resides in or has travelled to Victoria must undergo a mandatory 14-days of quarantine.
Beer is the border's biggest trainer with more than 70 horses on the books.
Previous to yesterday's announcement, Beer's Victorian staff had been allowed to work at his stables and live in Victoria via a special permit.
Beer said seven of his staff would now be forced to reside in NSW for at least the next six weeks.
"I've had to tell seven staff to go home, get their belongings and in some cases pets and move to Albury," Beer said.
"Otherwise you don't have a job which is almost unbelievable.
"It's not ideal but thankfully all my staff have committed and will make the move.
"It's a big ask and at the end of the day it's my business and not theirs.
"So they are sacrificing a lot and without my staff, I don't have any horses in work.
"We are in the process of finding some suitable accommodation.
"Thankfully some of the staff have relatives in NSW they can live with."
IN OTHER NEWS
Albury Racing Club was set to stage its final meeting of the season on Tuesday.
However, Racing NSW yesterday transferred the meeting to Wagga as a precautionary measure to distance itself from Victoria where Covid-19 cases continue to rise.
NSW trained horses can still race in Victoria but Racing NSW has banned those horses returning to NSW.
Beer said he presently had 22 horses spelling in Victoria.
"I'm fortunate in one regard that most of my good horses are back at the stables and already in work ahead of the spring," he said.
"Sky Call, Redouble, Branders Rule and Princess Cordelia are already at the stables thankfully.
"As a general rule I always have my main spring hopes back in work by June 1.
"But I now need clarity on the 22 horses that are in limbo in Victoria.
"They might have to be pre-trained in Victoria for a month and then we'll have to work it out, horse by horse."
Beer has nominated five horses for the transferred meeting at Wagga.
He has an unassailable lead in the Albury trainers premiership.
The leading trainer won his first title last season after relocating from Mornington.
