Geelong quarantine given all-clear

THE temporary Inter Dominion quarantine centre at Geelong passed its biggest test when given the approval of a key trainer yesterday.
New South Wales-based Peter Rixon, who puts the polish on gun five-year-old Divisive, joined Blacks A Fake's trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen to inspect the facility.
Rixon, who has one of Australia's most envied training complexes, was impressed with the work at Geelong.
"You'd have to be a hard-marker to knock this," Rixon said.
"There's been a hell of a lot of hard work go into it. They've done a great job.
"This will more than do the job for the seven days or so we'll be here."
Queensland and NSW Inter Dominion contenders enter quarantine in their home states, Rocklea in Queensland and Harold Park in NSW, on December 27.
They are due at Geelong by January 3 and could be out as early as seven days later.
Rixon added to the expectation that the unofficial start of the Melbourne Inter Dominion series will be January 19.
Queensland and NSW pacing stars such as Blacks A Fake, Be Good Johnny, Slipnslide and Rixon's Divisive will be out of the Geelong quarantine centre and ready to race at Moonee Valley by that date.
Although the Inter Dominion does not formally start until heats at Geelong on February 16, Harness Racing Victoria expects many key players from the series to step out at Moonee Valley on January 19.
"There are suitable races for both the open-class trotters and pacers," HRV's Shaun Kelly said.
"The trotters have the Knight Pistol Cup, and for the pacers there is the $50,000 Moonee Valley Cup."
Divisive will contest the Moonee Valley Cup if he pleases Rixon.
The January 19 meeting will also provide the start for a number of Kiwi stars.
Co-trainer Anthony Butt yesterday confirmed exciting trotter Mountbatten would contest the Knight Pistol and classy pacer Tribute would be in the Moonee Valley Cup.

Victoria welcomes home horses

MELBOURNE - Victorian Agriculture Minister Joe Helper welcomed the first Victorian horses stranded in NSW and Queensland home to Victoria on Tuesday.
The 46 horses were being kept in the disease-free green zones in New South Wales and Queensland.
“Equine influenza (EI) is being effectively managed and we are able to facilitate safe movement of stranded non-racing, racing and competition horses back to Victoria under nationally agreed importation and quarantine protocols,” Helper said.
“Our number one priority remains keeping Victoria EI-free and we will not permit movements which compromise our state’s disease-free status.
“The horses tested negative for EI during the two-week pre-export quarantine period and will now spend one week under strict quarantine conditions at Werribee – as agreed to under national protocols.”
Helper said horses would be tested again for EI over the next week, before being released and allowed home with their owners.
“More than 600 horses have been registered with the Department of Primary Industries by owners wanting to return them to Victoria from New South Wales and Queensland,” Helper said.
“Our focus is on observing the safety protocols which enable these stranded horses to return home while mitigating the risk of EI entering the state.”
A further 66 horses from the purple zone in NSW arrived in Victoria today. These horses have all recovered from EI and have met strict conditions for movement, including blood testing to prove they are immune to EI. The horses will be quarantined at the Inglis complex in Oaklands.
Helper said strict biosecurity measures would remain in place.
“Movement of horses to Victoria is still banned without a Victorian permit,”
Helper said.
“Heightened public vigilance and compliance is still the key to ensuring the disease is not transmitted to Victoria’s healthy horses.”
Offenders who attempt to illegally bring horses across the border face fines of up to $24,000 and two years imprisonment. DPI can take possession of horses.
For further information on permit applications for moving horse equipment and horses across Victorian borders, contact 1800 678 779.

NSW prizemoney boost

SYDNEY - Racing NSW has announced a $15million prizemoney injection for the NSW racing industry in the wake of the equine flu crisis.
In a massive shot in the arm to the beleaugured NSW industry, prizemoney is set to increase by a total of $15million over the next two years.
The announcement comes after agreement was reached on the most appropriate method to boost the NSW Industry post-EI.
The funding will result in major increases in minimum prizemoney for non-feature races in country and provincial areas.
From March 1 minimum prizemoney for NSW country TAB races will increase by $2000 per race to $9000 per race at a cost of $4.3million annually.
Fom February 1 minimum provincial prizemoney will increase by $1000 per race with a further $1000 from July 1 2008.
Accordingly, midweek provincial minimums will be $15,000 and Saturdays $13,000 per race.
Racing NSW has also addressed the situation where BOBS bonuses were lost by participants during the EI period.
To make up for the loss, winning BOBS bonuses in the second half of this racing season will be increased by 25% over their normal levels.

Stockfeed supplier blames horse flu for big losses

An Upper Hunter stockfeed supplier says he has lost more than $200,000 since the equine influenza outbreak almost four months ago.
Steve Murray says while local thoroughbred studs have received grants worth $200,000, he - like many people in the non-racing sector - have only received $10,000.
He says he has had to lay off staff as orders continue to drop.
"We've had to cease employment with a couple of our staff because there's just no work around, we just haven't got the money to pay these people," he said.
"It's had a very severe impact on our business. I would image there's other businesses out there that are being very silent about [it] and they're probably being affected, if not worse then we are.
"I feel there's got to be a noise made about the whole situation and try and get some reprieve from the Government."

Holidaymakers urged to stay away from horses

A campaign to stop the resurgence of equine influenza (EI) over the holiday period has begun.
The campaign is being run by the federal and state governments and three major horse organisations, including the Horse Industry Council.
They are concerned increased movements could undo the progress made so far in containing the sickness.
Even people who do not own horses have been urged to keep away from them and areas where they are kept, and to be aware of hygiene measures.
Horse owners have been reminded to keep their animals away from fences to prevent passers-by patting them.
At the height of the illness, about 140,000 horses across New South Wales were affected.
The outbreak crippled the state's racing industry for several months and severely restricted the industry's breeding season.

Horse flu 'battle not over'

Queensland Racing says the battle against the equine influenza is not over despite a drop in the number of infected properties in the state's south-east.
Spokesman Malcolm Tuttle says more than 1600 properties are still in quarantine, a drop of about 600 from November.
He says the virus is still being spread through the horse population that have not had the flu or been vaccinated.
Mr Tuttle says unauthorised people should stay away from horses.
"If the status of the horse and the property is unknown we shouldn't be taking for granted that the horses are either resolved or the property is resolved," he said.
"It could well be that the horses that are being patted or handled may in fact have the disease and may be in a position where they're shedding the disease."

SSJC TRAINING DAY - PURPLE ZONE ONLY! SUNDAY 6th JANUARY 08

At last, SSJC is set to resume in 2008 with a training day on Sunday 6th January 2008. Due to the EI epidemic, restrictions have been put in place to ensure this happens safely & successfully. Please read the following guidelines carefully.

· Only Purple Zone horses to attend. Check the DPI & EFA websites for details of zones and bio-security requirements.
· Strictly pre entries only! No entries on the day. Entries close Friday 28th Dec 08.
· All riders to be fully paid members of SSJC to ride. Membership renewal attached and must accompany entries.
· This is a training day format- not a competition day.
· Horses can do no more than 2 training round heights.
· Entry fee is a flat $15 per horse- (this covers the two rounds).
· 4 rings will be running. Ring 1- 60, 70, 80. Ring 2- 110, 120, 130. Ring 3- 80, 90, 1.00. Ring 4- 40, 60 , 80.
· Heights are approximate.
· A marshal will supervise a chalkboard draw at each arena gate. Please give them your full cooperation.
· Please use responsible judgement and do not bring any horse to the grounds that has not fully recovered from EI or that has not been vaccinated.
· If your horse is stabled at an address other than the one you have given on your Membership application please list this clearly.
· Entries and memberships for 2008 with full payments must be received by Friday 28th Dec 08.
Please post entries and memberships to: SSJC 2008 C/- Christine Johnson 44 Nelson Rd, Nelson, 2765 NSW


The club has organized to be part of the Department of Primary Industry Surveillance Program for the first 2 club days in January. A vet will be in attendance to take blood that will result in a certificate on the immunity of your horses. There will be no charge to you for the blood testing. There are many members that have horses that were infected and have not yet been tested to confirm their immunity. It is likely that some form of “passport” may be introduced for events in the future . You may have microchip identification implanted at a cost of only $18 per horse. Both the blood test and microchip are recommended by the Club. The club is required to provide to DPI a list of the horses attending in advance of the event. It is not compulsory to have this blood testing & micro chipping done, however this inexpensive way of having your horses tested will only be available for a short period. * Please fill out the attached Surveillance Program Form and return with your entries and membership form.


Please see attached the *entry form for the Training Day on 6th January and the *Membership renewal form. Entries will not be accepted
without membership renewals.

Entries for the competition day on Sunday 20th January will close on Friday 11th January. The program and entry form will be posted on the website in the next week. The latest SSJC Newsletter can also be downloaded from the website www.teamj.com.au

Sorry for all the paperwork, its what we have to do to get back in to action. Please be sure to complete all 3 (three) forms.
Looking forward to seeing everyone (from the Purple zone) back at SSJC.

Cheers - Chrissie


Christine Johnson
SSJC Publicity Officer
Website www.teamj.com.au
Mobile 0412 405079

KEEPING EI OUT OF VICTORIA

WELL ISN'T THE DPI A LAUGHING STOCK "KEEP VICTORIA FREE FROM EI". SO WHY LET 66 HORSES THAT HAVE HAD THE FLU AND BEEN VACINATED OVER THER BORDER OF ALBURY/WODONG? VACINATED HORSES CAN CARRY THE VIRUS STATED ON THE RADIO BY CHIEF VET!!!

THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE THE BIGGEST LOAD OF SHIT THAT THE DPI LETTING THESE HORSES OVER THE BORDER, IT COULD POTENTIALLY POSE A RISK.

OH THATS RIGHT ITS FOR THE POOR YES POOR THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY TO GET THOSE THINGS TO THE YEARLING SALE IN MELBOURNE. EVERY OTHER HORSE PERSON IN AUSTRALIA HAS HAD EVENTS CANCELLED EVEN WELL INTO 2008 BUT THOSE RACES STILL GO AHEAD AND THOROUGHBREDS CAN GO ANYWHERE.

I HEARD IT CLEARLY THIS MORNING ON THE RADIO THAT VACINATED HORSES CAN STILL CARRY THE VIRUS. SO WHY THE BLOODY HELL ARE THESE HORSES GETTING SPECIAL TREATMENT?????

SURELY THE RACING INDUSTRY CAN STILL HOLD THE SALE BY VIDEO LINK!!!!! HELLO, VIDEO LINK IS USED FOR ALOT OF THINGS. AFTER ALL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE. THEY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SET THE LINK UP AFTER ALL THEY ARE MUCH RICHER THAN US POOR PLEASURE FOLK.

IT IS AN UTTER DISGRACE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WHY SHOULD IT BE ALLOWED.
IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THERE IS AN OUTBREAK IN VICTORIA AND WHO WILL THEY BLAME FOR THAT!!!!!!!!
THE ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF THE VIRUS IS TO STOP ALL MOVEMENT.

BUT THOSE POOR RACES HAVE TO STILL GO AHEAD DON'T THEY. HONESTLY WE ARE ALL SICK OF THE RACING INDUSTRY GETTING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

WHO CARES THAT THESE HORSES HAVE BEEN VACINATED THEY CAN STILL CARRY THE VIRUS.

SURE AS HELL I DON'T WANT MY HORSES TO GET IT, I CAN'T AFFORD ANYMORE VET BILLS.

LINDA