Famous jockeys caught up in possible lockdown breach

Two of Australia's best-known jockeys have been caught up in a potential cane toad COVID-19 breach in far North Queensland.

Hugh Bowman, who famously partnered champion Winx in her glittering career, and James McDonald, currently the number one jockey in Australia, were filmed last night participating in toad racing at a Port Douglas bar.

Sydney socialite Kate Waterhouse was also at the toad racing event and was filmed by her former NRL star husband, Luke Ricketson.

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The video was posted to social media this morning by her father, bookmaker Rob Waterhouse – who is married to the first lady of racing Gai Waterhouse.

"Daughter Kate Waterhouse is no match for jockeys James McDonald, Hugh Bowman or Katelyn Mallyon in toad racing," he tweeted.

The video was then deleted a few minutes after posting.

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But while the rest of their Sydney friends struggle through day seven of lockdown, it appears the two jockeys may have breached a Queensland Health directive.

Here's why:

• Hugh Bowman and James McDonald both rode winners at the Sydney race meeting at Canterbury on June 23.

• The two riders flew to Brisbane that night - before Queensland closed its border to Sydney residents.

• They were both booked to ride in Brisbane three days later but on June 25, with the Sydney's COVID-19 numbers climbing, all Sydney-based jockeys were told they could no longer ride in Queensland.

• Three Sydney riders - Tommy Berry, Kerrin McEvoy and Rachel King posted a picture from the airport heading home.

• But it seems McDonald and Bowman stayed on in the Sunshine State.

• On June 27, Queensland Health issued a new direction - anyone who had arrived in Queensland after 1am on June 21, must stay at home for a period of 14 days since leaving the Greater Sydney area.

• That order would expire for these two-star jockeys next Wednesday, July 7.

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McDonald's partner, Channel 7 presenter Katelyn Mallyon, was also filmed at the Thursday night toad races at Hemingways Brewery but it is still unclear what date she entered Queensland and whether she too was subject to the "Stay at Home" order.

It appears Waterhouse and Ricketson weren't required to stay at home, with the Sydney socialite posting their arrival into the holiday mecca on June 20, which was one day before the cut-off began.

Queensland Health told A Current Affair in a statement: "Queensland Health has not received any exemption requests for the people mentioned in your initial email".

Queensland Police are now making enquiries as to whether the two Sydney-based jockeys were in breach of public health orders.

A Queensland Police spokesperson told A Current Affair, "the Queensland Police Service is aware of the incident and is currently making inquiries".

A Current Affair attempted to contact those involved in the toad racing event, but they did not respond.