Horse Movement Protocols Approved

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has received confirmation of the horse movement protocols that will need to be adhered to in order for New South Wales and Queensland horses to compete at the 2008 Watpac Inter Dominion and 2008 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup Carnivals.
Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Dr Hugh Millar informed HRV that the relevant state and national authorities have officially approved the proposed protocols. Under the protocols, elite horses from New South Wales and Queensland will be required to spend seven days in quarantine in their home state and a period of between seven and 14 days quarantine in Victoria in order to be able to race in Victoria.
HRV is now proceeding with its plan to establish temporary quarantine stations at Harold Park in Sydney, Rocklea in Queensland and Geelong in Victoria.
Horses from New South Wales and Queensland will enter quarantine in their home state on Thursday, December 27, 2007.
They will be kept in quarantine in their home state for seven days before being transported to Geelong on Thursday, January 3where they will be quarantined for a period of least seven days and up to 14 days.
“All going well, we are hopeful of having the Queensland and New South Wales horses out of quarantine and free to race in Victoria by Saturday, January 12,” HRV chief executive John Anderson said.
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has advised that horses will be released out of quarantine after seven days providing the quarantine process is a smooth one and that all horses are fit and healthy and showing no signs of illness.
The DPI has, however, reserved the right to retain the horses in quarantine for up to 14 days in Victoria if any problems are encountered to satisfy it that the vaccinated and recovered horses do not pose an Equine Influenza (EI) risk to the Victorian horse population.
Anderson said the announcement was a major development for the success of the two premier events.
“It is fantastic news for both the Watpac Inter Dominion and the Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup Carnivals that the top interstate horses will be allowed to compete and we can now press ahead with some degree of certainty in our planning,” Mr Anderson said.
There are already 14 horses confirmed to be entering quarantine with the intention of competing at either the Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup or Watpac ID08 Carnivals.
Joining defending Inter Dominion champion Blacks A Fake will be fellow Queenslanders Be Good Johnny, Slipnslide, Atomic Ark, Good Lookin Girl, Maximillion and Maybe Hall, while from New South Wales Divisive, Flightpath, Amorts, Iron Realm, Just Pretend, Boom Boom Becker and Em Maguane are heading south.