RACING Victoria says it is investigating allegations of a 'long lunch' involving Ballarat racing identities that may have been held against the rules set out by Victoria's Chief Health Officer regarding crowd gathering limits.
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Media reports on Monday suggested that up to 12 people attended an event last Thursday in Smeaton.
Racing Victoria has released a short statement to The Courier saying they are looking into the events that may have taken place.
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"Racing Victoria is aware of allegations that the number of attendees at a luncheon involving licensed participants at a regional restaurant may have been in excess of that permitted indoors at hospitality venues in regional Victoria under the current government restrictions," it said.
"RV is continuing to investigate these allegations."
It is alleged that representatives of Ballarat stables attended the event, including a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer.
Ballarat Turf club chief executive Belinda Glass said the matter was in the hands of Racing Victoria who would determine if there had been any breaches of guidelines.
"If there has been a breach, there isn't an excuse," she said.
The latest controversy comes just weeks after some of Victoria's leading jockeys were banned for the Spring Racing Carnival following a house party in the Mornington Peninsula. Among those set to miss are jockey premiership winner Jamie Kah, Ben Melham and Mark Zahra
This weekend the Spring Carnival hits its stride with the running of the $2 million Caulfield Guineas with the Caulfield Cup scheduled for October 16.
The Ballarat Turf Club has been contacted for comment.
