The expected move from Harness Racing Victoria comes in response to the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, which take effect from 11.59pm tonight.

A revised July racing calendar will be released by HRV on Thursday, with the new regionalised racing format to run for a period of six weeks.

The former Bendigo region will join with Ballarat, Shepparton, Stawell, and Terang under the umbrella of Regional, while Cranbourne, Kilmore and Melton will become known as Melbourne and Surrounds.

As it did during the first two phases of regional racing, Mildura (North West) will operate as a standalone precinct.

Participants will again only be permitted to compete within their own region.

Bendigo will be one of the first beneficiaries of the new regional racing format, with Lord's Raceway now scheduled to host Saturday night's abandoned Melton meeting.

Meetings scheduled for Ballarat tomorrow night, Mildura Friday, and Shepparton Friday night will go ahead, but trainers from regions outside those tracks will not be permitted to compete and their horses scratched.

Following a steep rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Victoria over the last two weeks and Tuesday's return to lockdown throughout Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, HRV believes a return to the regional model is the best way forward for the continuation of racing across the state.

"We have been clear since March when we moved early to restrict attendances at our race meetings that flexibility is required during COVID-19. Our people's health and well-being are always the top priorities," HRV chief executive officer Dayle Brown said.

"Our regional model saw us successfully and safely negotiate the period from April to July.

"Having that model developed and on hand has allowed us to pivot quickly following the announcements from the premier (Daniel Andrews).

"All of our stringent COVID-19 protocols will remain in place and must be adhered to.

"We are communicating regularly with all industry stakeholders and will continue to follow the advice of the state government and the Chief Health Officer.

"Importantly, all decisions are being made in collaboration with the Harness Racing Advisory Council, the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association, Harness Breeders Victoria, the Victoria Harness Racing Club, Trots Clubs Victoria and other key industry stakeholders.

"The overwhelming feedback my team has received from industry participants in the last 48 hours is that they want to continue racing but also want to feel as protected as possible at the races.

"Our participants and staff are the people on the roads and attending the races and their views must be respected.

"I want to take this opportunity to again thank all our people for their patience and the way in which they have conducted themselves throughout this challenging time.

"We will emerge as a stronger and more cohesive industry at the back of this."

Regional racing was first introduced in Victoria in early April, with a Bendigo region incorporating the training centres of Bendigo, Charlton and Maryborough.

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