Fleming the first to sue over equine influenza

A MEMBER of one of Australia's most influential racing families will be the first to sue the Federal Government over the equine influenza outbreak.Paul Fleming, son of the late former STC chairman Jim Fleming, will seek potential lost prizemoney for his filly Just Dancing.
Fleming said trainer Grahame Begg had given him a list of five races in which the Group II winner would have been competitive over the spring - and he would send the bill to the Government.
"Why not have a go - they have taken away my opportunity to win a lot of money,'' Fleming said.
Fleming's reaction is the first public expression of the anger felt among owners who have read recent headlines of a dysfunctional AQIS at Sydney Airport and Eastern Creek quarantine centre in the face of EI. The Callinan inquiry adjourned on Thursday until January 28.
The inquiry is still unsure of how and when equine influenza was able to spread from the Eastern Creek facility.