Brad Rawiller has heaped praise on the chief executive of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association Matthew Hyland for his tireless work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rawiller said without Hyland representing the 170 plus members of the VJA, there was a strong possibility racing may have ground to halt.
“Matt Hyland has done an amazing job going through what he has in the last two weeks. He has stood up and coped with it all,” Rawiller said.
“He’s been there for all jockeys.
“We’ve been under a lot of stress with what we’re going to be doing in the next day or two days and Matty has looked after everyone.
“At the same time he has had to make some big calls quickly which has been to the benefit of the racing industry.”
Rawiller rode a double at his home town meeting at Bendigo on Saturday which is usually well-attended by locals.
But with strict biosecurity measures in place, the nine races were run behind closed doors.
“It’s a little bit frustrating. It’s such a great day, Golden Mile day, and the Bendigo community get right behind it,” Rawiller said.
“They have put in place very strict protocols for us to be able to continue and everyone in the industry is adhering to those rules in place.
“We are giving the government great confidence going forward.”
Jockeys in NSW, Victoria and Queensland have been segregated into different zones to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Racing in Australia is continuing under strict conditions as it is in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
