Racing continued throughout both of the state's lockdowns. However, Racing Victoria introduced strict biosecurity protocols to maintain jobs in the industry and ensure care could be provided to horses.

Horsham and District Racing Club president Jason Merlo said the decision was made to err on the side of caution for the October 18 meeting.

"We're racing, but that's about it. There'll be no crowds," he said.

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"No one will be on track. I don't think (Racing Victoria) want to take the gamble at this stage.

"It's hard, but at this stage, this is the direction we've been told, so we've just got to abide by that.

"It might change when we get to Santa Day races, but the Horsham Cup is only a month away now."

Since mid-March, there have been 2000 races conducted under Racing Victoria's COVID-19 protocols.

Under the governing body's instructions, only essential staff and officials have been allowed to attend race meets.

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Jockeys have also been segregated into two "teams" to negate the impact of a potential COVID-19 case in the industry.

"It's harder at the moment too because you've still got to have all the protocols - like being 1.5 metres apart, you've got to spread all the jockeys out in the rooms. We've still got to go through all of that," Mr Merlo said.

"We've got to make extra room at the racetrack. Last meet we had male jockeys in the female rooms, females in the committee room and some other females in the male rooms.

"We had to bring in extra toilets and showers too. We had to segregate the jockeys because a couple of them were from Melbourne."

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Racing Victoria, in association with Country Racing Victoria, cancelled all picnic race meets from October 24 to November 7.

The Wycheproof Cup, which was scheduled for October 31, has also been cancelled.

Mr Merlo said the club was fortunate to be able to run the Cup.

"We'll still get all the coverage. We're probably lucky, because they've cancelled all the picnic meetings," he said.

"Last year, there was $19 million bet on the Horsham Cup. That's a lot of money."

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