Trainer's campervan holiday in horse flu quarantine

HARNESS racing legend Brian Hancock turned 60 yesterday. And as one does, he spent it relaxing under the awning of his motorhome.But Hancock's van wasn't parked at a beachside resort. Nor was he surrounded by loved ones, enjoying the sun, sand and surf.

Instead, Hancock was quarantined in the cement cauldron of Harold Park, on his own and under a blazing new year sun, due to ongoing equine influenza prevention strategies.
"I never pictured myself sitting outside my campervan at Harold Park on my 60th birthday," Hancock joked yesterday.
"They say you finish up where you begin, and although I'm far from finished, it kind of feels like I'm back where I started."
While one million Sydneysiders enjoyed the New Year's Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour, Hancock had a decidedly low-key celebration minding his star young pacer, Flightpath.
A seven-time winner of both the Harold Park trainers and drivers' premierships, Hancock agreed to seven days in isolation at the Glebe circuit so Flightpath can travel to Melbourne to compete in the Group One $150,000 Victorian Derby at Moonee Valley on March 1.
Horses set to travel to Victoria for harness racing's InterDominion or Victoria Derby must spend one week in quarantine in NSW followed by another week in a quarantine station at Geelong.
"Harold Park has been good to me over the years so it is not much of a problem to spend a week here," the South Coast-based Hancock said.
Hancock's phenomenal record at Harold Park has not landed him any favours over the New Year period, with the champion trainer-driver becoming a part-time track curator.
He's found himself in charge of watering Harold Park, with fellow trainer Peter Rixon controlling the grater to keep the surface in top order.
At present, Harold Park quarantine station resembles a ghost town.
Harold Park CEO John Dumesny and trainers Michael Day and Jeremy Quinlan are the only other inhabitants at Ross St.
Rixon is with his star pacer Divisive, the state's only hope in the $750,000 Group One InterDominion, which culminates with the final on March 1.
Michael Day is caring for Iron Realm and Jeremy Quinlan has Boom Boom Becker and Em Maguane, two Victorian horses who have been stuck in Sydney since the the outbreak of EI.
While Hancock is holidaying in his luxurious campervan, his compatriots have transformed the ambulance room at Harold Park into a neat studio apartment.
"All the boys have bonded so well and everyone is doing their bit to help the time go smoothly," Hancock said.
Flightpath is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Lombo Pocket Watch (2006), Divisive (2005), Emmas Only (2004), The Sentry (2003) and Bellas Boy (2002) as the sixth consecutive horse to win the two-year-old colts and geldings Australian Pacing Gold Final-Victoria Derby double.
If Hancock is correct about Flightpath's ability, a real holiday could be just around the corner.