Racing Victoria to race Saturday

Racing Victoria has decided to race this Saturday, providing no Thoroughbreds

in Victoria test positive for the Equine Influenza (EI). New South Wales (NSW) and

Queensland officials, however, have kept the "racing suspended indefinitely"

shingle still hanging. Racing Victoria's decision means the Melbourne Cup

(Aus-G1) will not be moved as previously suggested.

The latest fallout from the EI bug concerns a group of retired Thoroughbreds

slated for police duty at the September 7 APEC Conference of world leaders,

which includes President George W. Bush. Many of them were earmarked to carry police during the APEC

Conference, but six police Thoroughbreds have contracted the EI. Horse movement

within NSW is restricted due to a lockdown, forcing the NSW Police to look at

new measures.

Queensland is nowhere near

ready to resume its normal state as yet, and, with the A$35-million Spring

Carnival in Sydney due to start this weekend, industry officials have called on

the federal government to declare a national disaster for all in the NSW

Thoroughbred industry.

Many NSW stud farms have extended the books for their colonial stallions as

42 world-class shuttlers remain locked up at the quarantine area for an

indefinite period of time. Meanwhile, it appears the problem is spreading in

NSW. The NSW State Disease Control Centre (SDCHQ) for the current equine

influenza outbreak has said five more properties have been declared infected,

taking the total number to 16.

"These properties were previously suspect and had a high probability of being

infected," NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said. "These properties

were all part of our tracing program that is investigating the movement of

horses at risk of having infection."

The new properties are at Moree, Muswellbrook, Aberdeen, Maitland and

Redfern.

"We are now monitoring more than 35 suspect properties which are under

lockdown," Roth said.