Racing Back On Track

Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Limited racing will be held over the weekend.

Racing will be held at:

Globe Derby Park – Restricted to horses within the quarantine zone (Friday night)

Morphettville – Restricted to SA horses (Saturday)

Racing Minister Michael Wright has advised the industry’s peak bodies that races scheduled for Friday night and Saturday can be held.

“This is a short-term measure to ensure that the state remains free of horse flu and is a move endorsed by the two codes,” he said.

“It’s another important step to get the racing industry back on track.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Rob Rahaley said that stringent controls would be put into place to ensure limited interaction among horses and that only registered trainers, stable hands, strappers and jockeys/drivers attended the meetings.

“Human contact and interaction with animals is a big risk as the horse flu virus is very contagious. “We certainly want people to adhere to stringent protocols regarding horse handling at these events and will be providing people with information and advice to limit the risks.”

All horse movements have been stopped since the weekend when a stock standstill was put into place to keep SA free of equine influenza (horse flu).

The current stock standstill is in force until 12.30pm Friday 31 August 2007 prohibiting the movement of any horse without a permit.

Update:

· SA remains free of horse flu

· Horse owners/riders at Wentworth have been provided with permits to return to SA.

· Horse owners/riders at Werribee have been provided with permits to return to SA.

· Horse SA calls for event organisers to cancel/postpone events planned for the next week.

Web site for further information-

www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu