Equine flu has Hussler's connections sick with worry

Asked about the prospects of Weekend Hussler coming to Sydney next year, McDonald said discussions were taking place.

"The only problem is EI," he said. "Do we take the chance, send him up there and something happens and you can't get back?

"It [equine flu] is a real worry. You are putting a lot of faith in the vaccine. Our horses haven't been exposed to EI in Victoria. They say vaccination cuts down the risk, but horses can still carry the virus.

"Do we want to be taking any chances? That's the biggest worry."

McDonald said the Australian Guineas, 1600 metres, at Flemington on March 8 might come too quickly for Weekend Hussler, with the $1 million Golden Rose, schedule for Rosehill on March 15, a better option.

"You could go into it over 1400m second up, without a lot of racing," he said. "But we must weigh it up. Is it worth putting him under stress, duress, with a chance of catching EI?

"What happens if he gets stuck up there? What happens to our spring carnival? That is what we really want to concentrate on."

The uncertainty surrounding equine flu has McDonald thinking the disease is going to affect racing for the next nine months at least.

"How long does the vaccine last for?" he asked. "Do you have to keep giving it every year? Is it still strong after eight months or is it starting to weaken?
"There are a lot of questions to be answered.

"Eventually, trainers will have to take a punt - let's go and see what happens, but with a horse like Weekend Hussler, I know Roscoe and I are really thinking do we want to take a chance?

"You'd love to be in Sydney for the autumn carnival, it is second to the spring carnival in Melbourne, but at the end of the day we've got to weigh it all up.

"He is a horse we want for a long time, not a short time."

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