QLD: Randwick infection delays decision on Mackay

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2007
QLD: Randwick infection delays decision on Mackay

BRISBANE, Aug 30 AAP - Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) will delay a decision whether
racing can resume in Mackay in north Queensland next Tuesday following news of the first
racehorse to initially test positive in Sydney.

QRL chairman Bob Bentley said it would be very bad news for the racing industry if
further tests due later today confirm the highly contagious equine flu in a horse trained
by Anthony Cummings at Randwick.

The four-year-old unraced gelding named Paxton is owned by Gerry Harvey.

Randwick Racecourse has been locked down and all horses confined to their stalls after
initials tests on the Cummings horse showed signs of the disease.

"This is very bad news for the industry but in Queensland we'll continue with our current
procedures and monitor the situation daily," Bentley said.

"We want to take each day at a time and we'll wait and see about what happens with
Mackay next Tuesday.

"We'll take small steps at a time. The last thing we want is a big step and muck things up."

Bentley is currently in Melbourne and is unable to attend a meeting today between QRL
officials and Queensland's Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

"A lot more training centres were back to normal today but unfortunately some people
are going to be disadvantaged," Bentley said.

"But it's going to be in their best interests in the long term.

"The DPI have been very good keeping the border with NSW locked tight."

AAP gmd/jm/bwl

KEYWORD: STALLIONS QLD MACKAY

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