EI no factor in race success

SYDNEY - A study by Racing New South Wales has produced encouraging results from horses returning to racing after equine influenza (EI).

From December 1 of last year to January 31, 124 metropolitan races have been run at 17 meetings with 77 winners having recovered from the virus.

"While we only looked at a relatively small sample over two months, the figures are encouraging in terms of post EI performance of horses, with 62 per cent of winners being EI recovered" said Acting Chief Executive, Racing NSW, Brian Judd.

"Our analysis indicates that 52 per cent of horses that were competing in that period were EI recovered, so it shows that statistically at least, the performances stack up well against those horses that were vaccinated.

"Our feedback from trainers is that while horses have had the virus in varying degrees of severity, generally speaking there doesn't appear to be any adverse affects since returning to racing.”

The results come after the news that Australia is expected to be declared provisionally free of equine influenza by mid-March if no new incidents are detected. That would be three months earlier than originally projected.

Laboratories have completed more than 10,700 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests with no positive results since December 22.

“Australia has made excellent progress at combating the disease,” Aushorse Chairman and TBA President John Messara said.

“A major factor has been the implementation of zones, and the success of the vaccination programme in NSW and Queensland, where more than 90 per cent of targeted horses have received their first vaccination and more than 80 per cent their second.

“With race results also proving that there are no long term effects of EI on the performance of horses, we can certainly head into our sales season with renewed confidence.”

The news coincides with the announcement that the importation of racehorses from Australia to Hong Kong has been given the green light to resume by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and two batches of thoroughbreds bound for Sha Tin are currently in quarantine in Melbourne awaiting shipment. - Aushorse