Racing shakes flu

By Kelly Yates
CRANBOURNE racecourse will again be punter friendly after all bio security measures were removed from Victorian thoroughbred meetings this week.
A meeting on Monday 14 January between Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) reported that there has not been a long distance virus travel since November 2007.
Dr Hugh Millar from the DPI has a high degree of confidence that infection is no longer spreading.
RVL chief executive Stephen Allanson acknowledged and commended the tremendous support of the DPI, all clubs and participants.
“Their actions have helped keep Victoria Equine Influenza free,” Mr Allanson said.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said it was a great outcome for Victorian racing.
“It’s been a long haul for the public as the previously enforced security measures restricted patrons from getting close to the horses,” Mr Bainbridge said.
“There was frustration for the owners as well because they couldn’t speak to the jockeys before a race,” he said.
Cranbourne’s next meeting scheduled for 30 January will be a “special one” according to Mr Bainbridge as the public will have the ability to move more freely amongst the horses, trainers and the jockeys.