TWO staff from an Albury stable are under investigation from Racing NSW for potential breaches of its strict COVID-19 protocols.
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Racing NSW confirmed two licensed stablehands allegedly crossed the border into Victoria.
The inquiry date is yet to be fixed with the stablehands in self isolation for 14 days.
Both have been tested for coronavirus with the first test negative.
The second test is still being processed.
The first alleged breach occurred last Thursday with the most recent on Tuesday.
The trainer involved didn't want to be named until stewards conducted their inquiry to protect his staff from any further distress.
"I'm disappointed in the whole situation," the trainer said.
"I don't need to go into the circumstances that led to their decision because it involves their personal life.
"But the circumstances that led them to returning home are upsetting.
"They haven't had any support from anyone else outside the stable.
"You have to remember that they have had their lives uprooted."
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While the trainer was disappointed in his staff's actions, he said he will continue to support the pair.
"They have done the wrong thing and are being dealt with accordingly," he said.
"But I'm not going to throw them under the bus and leave them.
"They will be supported by us.
"They have done the wrong thing but are good people.
"They have been put in a horrendous situation with no help from Racing NSW."
Since late March Victorian staff had been allowed to work at NSW stables and live in Victoria via a special permit.
But since early last month any Victorian staff that wanted to remain working in NSW stables was forced to relocate over the border.
The trainer added Racing NSW's failure to find a better solution had contributed to the alleged breach.
"It was bound to happen," he said.
"To think that their whole lives and families are on the other side of a river that has no active cases.
"Any other profession in Albury can have a permit to go to work and return home.
"The only rule that they have broken is a Racing NSW rule.
"And maybe if Racing NSW had come down here in the first place and helped support us and help work through the problem, we might not be in this terrible situation.
"I'm not trying to sweep it under the carpet.
"They did what they did.
"But the haven't gone home to have a party
"It's a very frustrating situation for everyone."
Last month young Albury trainer Laura McCullum was handed a four-month disqualification by Racing NSW stewards after being found guilty of providing false evidence during an inquiry.
The inquiry was in relation to a 'potential breach of Racing NSW COVID-19 policy.'
McCullum has lodged an appeal which is yet to be heard.
