With New Zealand transitioning to COVID-19 alert level 2 at 11:59pm on Wednesday, restrictions on domestic travel have eased and people are free to once again travel between regions.

“Based on moving to level 2, we (racing industry participants) are able to move,” NZTR chief executive Bernard Saundry said. “That is a really positive outcome, so there will be no restrictions on that travel.”

Saundry also highlighted that jockeys and riders were also free to travel domestically if they wish to ride work in other regions.

“Jockeys will be able to move around as well under level 2,” he said.

While Saundry said this was positive news for many participants, he said caution still needs to be applied so that the country does not escalate up the alert levels.

“As the Government highlighted, while we are moving down levels that is fantastic, but everybody needs to keep doing the right thing to keep New Zealanders safe,” he said.

“If we have to move back there could be (travel restrictions put back in place), but at this point I am confident that the participants have done a fantastic job so far.

“We have been back training for a couple of weeks. I know it’s been hard, and being locked-up for four to six weeks hasn’t been easy and I would just like to thank industry participants.”