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Flu 'hits Australian racehorses' Equine flu hits Sydney racehorses
(about 4 hours later)
In Australia, the outbreak of equine influenza appears to have spread to thoroughbred racehorses. Eight Australian racehorses have tested positive for equine influenza, forcing the suspension of Sydney's spring carnival racing.
A racehorse has tested positive for the disease at Randwick racecourse in Sydney, the headquarters of racing in New South Wales. The horses are based at Randwick racecourse in Sydney, the headquarters of racing in New South Wales.
If confirmed, it means the course will be shut down for at least 28 days, devastating the programme of racing. The racecourse will be quarantined for 30 days to try to contain the outbreak.
Equine influenza was first detected in horses in Sydney last week. It is the country's first outbreak of the virus. The flu was first detected in recreational horses in Sydney last week, forcing a ban on horse movements and the cancellation of race meetings.
Melbourne Cup The primary industries minister for New South Wales, Ian Macdonald, said the flu could spread quickly through the Randwick stables, where some 700 thoroughbreds are based.
Some of Australia's finest thoroughbreds are stabled at Randwick racecourse in Sydney and it is also the home to some of the country's leading trainers. Some of Australia's finest thoroughbreds are stabled at Randwick and it is also home to some of the country's leading trainers.
So the news that a horse there has tested positive for equine influenza is a devastating blow to the racing industry. The flu was found in eight of 10 horses from the stable of Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings.
If the preliminary test is confirmed, Randwick would be quarantined for at least 28 days, severely disrupting its calendar of races and preventing the movement of the 700 horses stabled there. 'Grim day'
Presently no training is being allowed, so even if the restrictions were lifted it could be months before the thoroughbreds are ready to race. The outbreak is devastating blow to the racing industry, reports the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney.
Randwick's spring racing carnival is already in jeopardy. The participation of horses from New South Wales in the Melbourne Cup in Victoria is also in doubt. The suspension of racing will cost millions of dollars, not just to the horse industry but to the bookmakers. There are fears of major job losses.
Trainers face a threat to their livelihoods and are trying to think of ways around the ban on the movement of horses. Jobs at the Randwick racecourse are threatened"It is more than a disaster, it is a grim, black day," Racing New South Wales Chief Executive Peter V'Landys told reporters.
One idea is to conduct races at Randwick behind closed doors, with massive screens erected at another racecourse so fans could watch from there. He said the cancellation of Sydney races would have a significant impact on the Melbourne spring carnival, including the Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race which takes place in November.
"The cream of the horses are based at Randwick and Warwick Farm (in Sydney). You have leading trainers at Randwick. None of those horses now will be able to compete in Melbourne," he said.
Meanwhile, about 100 people, 30 of them children, remained quarantined following an outbreak in Warwick, Queensland state. Equine flu does not affect humans, but can be carried on clothing or footwear.