Wangaratta trainer John Ledger says Racing NSW's strict COVID-19 protocols make it a logistic nightmare for Victorian trainers to race in NSW.
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Racing NSW announced last week that Victorian based horses could travel into NSW after introducing phase one of its easing of restrictions.
However, the biggest stumbling block for Victorian based trainers racing in NSW could be finding a suitable property to stay prior to the race.
Horses must be transported to a spelling property or pre-training property that is not located on a NSW racecourse.
Horses also can't be transported directly to a NSW racecourse or licensed stables and must remain on the spelling property or pre-training property for a minimum of 48 hours prior to being transported to a racecourse of licensed stable.
Ledger said he wouldn't accept with any of his nominations for Albury's meeting on Thursday.
"I was really keen to run because I have got a nice horse that I wanted to take there," Ledger said.
"We are getting 100 nominations per race in Victoria and the race Next Edition is nominated for has 11.
"So it's common sense to race at Albury for the same prizemoney.
"But I can't get there because of the protocols.
"We've been told a horse has to spend 48 hours in a paddock before it races.
"I don't want to put a nice horse in the paddock for that long before competing.
"For me to get a horse across the border and isolate, it's just too hard.
"I've given it a lot of thought over the past 48 hours but have decided against it."
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Andrew Dale also nominated several runners for the meeting but conceded the strict protocols made it extremely difficult for Victorian trainers.
SDRA chief steward Jason Schulz said he could understand why Victorian trainers would be reluctant to cross the border.
"It is somewhat difficult logistic wise getting horses to an approved property 48 hours before they race" Schulz said.
"But the positive is that Victorian trainers do have the option to race in NSW if they want to.
"The previous system where a Victorian horse could race under the care of a NSW trainer wasn't as difficult logistically.
"But this is the first stage of the easing of restrictions and a step in the right direction.
"If things continue to improve in Melbourne restrictions will be eased further."
