Above: Cranbourne Training Complex manager Lisa Hocking surveys the empty stables at the height of the nationwide equine influenza scare.
By Paul Dunlop
CRANBOURNE racing officials are waiting with bated breath for the all-clear from the equine influenza (EI) scare.
The multimillion-dollar local industry has been at a virtual standstill since a number of horses in New South Wales showed symptoms of flu last week.
Cranbourne Training Complex manager Lisa Hocking told the News it was hoped trackwork might resume today (Thursday) if an application by Racing Victoria gets Department of Primary Industries approval.
Thousands of residents in the Casey area depend on horses either for professional reasons or recreation.
While horses interstate, but not racehorses, have been struck down by the EI virus – the fact a racehorse has not succumbed has raised hopes of racing’s rapid return.
Ms Hocking said about 100 horses stabled at or within walking distance of the complex were able to be worked around the track yesterday.
“We’re hopeful full training can resume (today),” she said.
“It’s been a dramatic week, wondering what will happen.
“Hopefully, it will soon be back to business as usual.”
Ms Hocking said the training complex would continue to observe strict biosecurity controls put in place as a precautionary measure.
Cranbourne Turf Club officials have also been anxiously awaiting the all clear and will host its big Dads Day Out meeting on Sunday, Father’s Day.
Chief executive Neil Bainbridge said the club had progressed as normal in the belief that racing would gain the all-clear by the weekend.
He said the numbers stacked up well, with 248 horses nominated for the meeting, which would mean a full 10-race card.
South East Victorian Equine Network (SEVEN) secretary Gayle Dorning said members and other industry officials met on Monday night to discuss the equine flu scare and to ensure residents understood the ramifications.
“It’s been a bit of an eye opener,” she said.
“This doesn’t only affect the racing community it affects everyone from a pony club, people with pleasure horses, trail ride operators and riding schools.
“Hopefully by later in the week things will be okay but we really need to make sure the message gets out that the lockdown is applicable to all horses.”
Federal president of the Australian Trainers Association and Cranbourne trainer Colin Alderson said the industry was waiting with bated breath for life to return to normal.
“We’ve never been in this minefield before,” he said.
“We hope that we can battle through it and get out of it.
“The reality is if we get a case of it in Victoria we’ll be in a similar situation to NSW,” Mr Alderon said.
“We’ve just got to police our borders.”
Equine flu is highly contagious and can be transferred between human beings to another horse. It can also be transferred by vermin or flies.
