EI a major talking point in stewards conference

BRISBANE - The bi-annual National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group conference has focused on how stewards will cope with the consequences of the equine influenza outbreak.

The conference was hosted by Queensland Racing Limited in Brisbane and was chaired by QRL chief steward Reid Sanders.

Sanders said the the agenda was substantial.

“The group worked effectively to achieve outcomes which hope to create consistency amongst racing jurisdictions within Australia,” Sanders said.

Some of the major items discussed at the conference included:

Equine Influenza

• Protocols and systems that may be required to assist with any on going vaccination strategies;
• The effects of EI in each state.

Training Partnerships

• The Advisory Group discussed training partnerships at length and any difficulties that were perceived with such arrangements between states.

Drug Testing of Stablehands

• The Advisory Group proposed a standard Australia wide drug policy.

Betting Deductions

• The Advisory Group reviewed a new scale of deductions which mathematically re­stored the market to its position prior to the late scratching occurring.

Sanders said the discussed matters would be referred to the Australian Racing Board for their consideration.

The conference was also attended by international stewards including Jamie Stier (Hong Kong Jockey Club), Peter Chadwick (Singapore Turf Club) and Cameron George (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing).