Vic invests to keep state horse flu-free

The Victorian government will inject a further $1.94 million to help keep the state free of equine influenza (EI). Premier John Brumby announced that Victorian non-racing horse owners would be supported after missing out on EI federal funding.
"This new funding will allow us to meet short and long-term priority objectives which have been identified and requested, in consultation with the industry," Mr Brumby said.
He said the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) would administer the funding.
$2.4 million has been invested into protecting Victoria from EI.
"I thank every Victorian horse owner for cooperating with existing border controls and implementing biosecurity measures," he said.
"The Government is very aware of the impact the voluntary cancellation of events has had on non-profit clubs and associations when the competition season was just getting underway.
"I'm confident that this additional funding will help Victorians meet any challenges that lie ahead."
The repatriation of 46 recreational horses, stranded in New South Wales and Queensland since the EI outbreak, occurred this week.
"DPI has worked within the new nationally agreed protocols to assist owners in returning their horses from disease-free Green Zones and a significant slice of the funding will be set aside to subsidise this project," Mr Brumby said.
"While the number of horse flu cases reported from interstate is abating, there is still a risk of the disease entering Victoria and it is vitally important that horse owners remain vigilant to keep Victoria EI free."
Meanwhile, Victoria's chief vet Hugh Miller said moving horses from New South Wales and across the Victoria border was prohibited.
Horses must be moved legally to Victorian areas.
"The disease eradication efforts are progressing really well," Dr Miller told the Nine Network.
"And for Victoria that means the threat is reducing all the time but we need to keep our vigilance."

After proppping up NSW and Qld, Victoria misses out on funds

VICTORIAN Racing Minister Rob Hulls will try to recoup funds lost by the impact of equine influenza to help Victoria boost prizemoney.
Hulls will write to Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke in a bid for an estimated $15 million to $25 million in compensation.
The minister, who raised the issue at the recent Australasian Racing Ministers' conference in Sydney, wants Victoria to be compensated for propping up Queensland and NSW while their racing was at a standstill for almost four months.
NSW and Queensland have shared $114 million in federal compensation, but Victoria has received nothing.
The discrepancy hit home this week when NSW lifted prizemoney for provincial and country races, using funds not distributed in prizemoney while racing was locked down.
In that same period, they received their share of TabCorp distributions on Victorian racing while Victoria reaped nothing from their standstill.
"Victoria's efforts in keeping EI out of this state have benefited the whole country by ensuring racing continued through the Spring Racing Carnival, providing a viable racing product for the rest of Australia," Hulls said.
"This has come at an estimated cost of $15 million to the Victorian industry, but not one cent has come from the Federal Government in support."
NSW Racing Minister Graham West has supported Hulls in his quest for compensation.
West said Victoria continued to incur costs despite a reduction in revenue, which was why "I believe the Federal Government should be providing them with some assistance".
As a result of NSW building its cash reserves during EI because it has not been paying prizemoney, the industry there announced this week that minimum prizemoney for country racing would increase next year by $2000 to Victoria's level of $9000 -- at an annual cost of $4.3 million.
Minimum provincial prizemoney will increase by $2000 a race by July.
Racing NSW is spending $15 million in extra prizemoney over the next two years -- the same amount Victorian racing lost on staging the Spring Carnival because of EI.
Perhaps Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association chairman David Moodie should consider that.
Moodie deserves commendation for being instrumental in initiating the reform of Racing Victoria Limited, but his constant gripes about low levels of prizemoney have been less widely appreciated.
When the Melbourne Racing Club added $395,000 to Saturday and feature race prizemoney this week, Moodie slammed the move, declaring it ignored grass roots and midweek racing.
"The prizemoney increases are inadequate and they have got it wrong," he said.
"It's very frustrating.
"The NSW increases are a slap in the face to RVL and all its clubs and the best wake-up call of all time."

Conners ready to head south

CLARRY Conners is hopeful of finally getting interstate horse movement restrictions lifted to enable top three-year-olds Kick 'N Chase and Apercu to get to Melbourne for the Australian Guineas next year.
Kick 'N Chase earned his chance to contest the rich Group I classic when he powered home for an impressive win in the Cargo Bar Handicap (1300m) at Randwick yesterday.
This might be Kick 'N Chase's last Sydney run for a while if Conners gets his way.
"I've been having discussions with (chief steward) Ray Murrihy and the DPI and there's a good chance I'll be able to get Kick 'N Chase and Apercu to Melbourne soon," Conners said.
"Both horses will have to go into quarantine here at Canterbury and there's a good chance they will be able to serve their quarantine time in Melbourne out at Sandown.
"The good thing is that because both of these horses got EI and were vaccinated, they will only need to serve three days in quarantine here and then in Melbourne."
The relaxation of the DPI's strict horse-movement protocols since EI won't come soon enough for trainers.
The majority of NSW trainers and owners were forced to miss the rich Melbourne spring carnival because of the EI outbreak. But hopefully common sense will prevail and they won't be robbed of the opportunity to compete in Melbourne next autumn.
Kick 'N Chase ($6.50) proved he is a three-year-old of immense potential when he showed great courage to run down the in-form and race-fit Harrykay to score by a neck, with 1½ lengths to Universal Magic ($15).
Conners believes there may not be a lot between Kick 'N Chase and the stable's star filly, Group I The T J Smith heroine Apercu.
"Kick 'N Chase ran fourth in the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes this year when Apercu ran unplaced and had no luck," Conners said. "I think he's a pretty good horse and might be right up there with the filly in ability."
Conners said there is no point racing Apercu in Sydney over summer as she would simply get too much weight in any open handicap.
"As soon as I get the green light they'll both go to Melbourne and be set for the Australian Guineas in February," he said.
Kick 'N Chase is proving one of racing's great bargain basement buys.
He was bought for just $18,000 and is raced by a syndicate of owners, including former The Daily Telegraph colleague Mark Gold.
"This is great, he was only 80 per cent fit today," Gold said. "Clarry is doing a super job with this horse, he's really turned him around."

BART CUMMINGS SPOT ON

I fully agree with Bart Cummings on him on urging the relaxation on horse movements I know he is talking about racehorses but maybe if they free their movement restrictions up they might allow movement within the pleasure horses as well. I fail to see why if the horses have either had EI and tested to be recovered or had both vaccination shots they aren't able to move it makes one wonder why go to the expense
Bart's comments brings to mind a blog from Brett Cavanough the 6/12/07 horsedeals site in which he stated Australia racing was the laughing stock of the world with the inconsistencies of protocols from racecourse to racecourse between 3 race meetings he had attended in 4 days ,among other things he mentioned was the way things are being handled is a load of crap and it was getting to the stage where the DPI should throw the gates open I don't know when that will happen but we can only hope the DPI see sense sooner rather than later I also read the bog 17/12/07 regarding Anthony Cummings concern that he has horses to come back into work but can't move them , you don't need many brains to see the problems the DPI is causing with the restrictions on all horse movements unfortunately these restrictions are hurting a lot more people than ones that own or train racehorses
These comments are made by some of the bigger trainers who know what they are talking about and the changes that need to be made by the DPI to fix the problems all horse people are suffering I am hoping the racehorse owners and trainers both big or small will put pressure on the DPI then hopefully they might sit up and take notice from them and start using their brain and let commonsense prevail regarding all horses
The pleasure horse people aren't getting anywhere with the DPI regarding our concerns with the way we are being treated we just aren't important enough but with some luck they may take notice of the race industry and do something about making the changes needed for the better for all horse people . And allow us to start the long track back to somewhere near normal.
So please all you racehorse owners and trainers keep onto the DPI then maybe they will use their brains and see sense and free up movement and in doing so you will be helping yourself and us pleasure horse people at the same time
Anne W