Anthony Darmanin aboard Mystic Journey in 2019 The All-Star Mile (Image: Racing Photos)
Anthony Darmanin will make a dash back to Tasmania after he rides Mystic Journey in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in a bid to beat quarantine rules announced by the Tasmanian government.
It was reported on Tuesday that Darmanin would stay in Melbourne with Mystic Journey due to the travel restrictions implemented by Racing Victoria for interstate jockeys, but with the Tasmania enforcing a 14 day quarantine for anyone that arrives after midnight on Friday, Darmanin said he’s had to re-evaluate.
“As we can see everything is changing dramatically and quickly,” he said.
“I can’t afford to be locked in Victoria with so many unknowns, I have too many commitments and I’d let down too many people in Tasmania.”
Darmanin will ride Mystic Journey at 8.30pm on Friday and then hope with stewards approval that he can board his 9.40pm flight back to Tasmania so that he arrives before midnight.
“It’s going to be an intense hour but hopefully it all works out and we run well, and I get back safely,” he said.
“This may be her only run this preparation now with all of the rules and quarantine.
“She is going really well, Adam was very upbeat when I spoke to him earlier on in the week, so hopefully we can finish in the top 3.”
The travel restrictions that are now in-place mean that Craig Newitt has also had to change arrangements outside of Tasmania.
Newitt had planned to ride Mornington Cup day and Bendigo Cup day in Victoria and head to Western Australia next month for the WATC Derby and Albany race day.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but unless I have my own private jet it’s not really possible to attend these meetings,” he said.
“I feel like we all know what we have to do to ensure the industry keeps moving forward and we’re doing exactly that.”
Newitt agreed that raising the minimum jockey weight was the right decision but is hopeful an announcement regarding when and how it will change back will also occur.
“If raising the jockey weight means jockeys don’t have to sweat or go to public saunas then it’s the right move for right now,” he said.
“Jockeys like myself get a lot of opportunities because we can ride light, so I think there should also be an announcement clearly stating that the weights will go back to normal once this is all over.”