Harvest Fantasy

Racing authorities in Victoria say the publicity surrounding horse flu could result in a bigger-than-expected crowd at today's Caulfield meeting.

The meeting is the first thoroughbred fixture since the nationwide lockdown of horses last week.

Racing Victoria's Stephen Allanson has not ruled out the possibility of New South Wale horses - other than those trained at Randwick - competing in Melbourne's Spring Carnival.

He says today's Caulfield race meeting is an important first step back.
"Normally the crowd on a day like today would be around 10,000 and I think with the extra interest we could get a crowd around the 15,000 to 18,000 mark, so it should be a great day," he said.

Strict measures will be in place to reduce the risk of horse flu.
An exclusion zone will be set up to prevent people coming into contact with the horses.

Trainers and jockeys will not be allowed to mingle with the public as normal.
Racing Victoria says while the exclusion zone may be an inconvenience to some people its necessary to ensure races go ahead safely.

Only one race meeting a day will be held in Victoria for now, with meetings scheduled for today at Moonee Valley and Benalla scrapped.

So far there have been no confirmed reports of equine influenza in the state.

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It's quite amazing that something as big as this could have such an impact on a very large group of people. If the riders aren't able to come in contact with people, then so be it - but the thing is, if they're sick, then why are they riding in the first place? Couldn't they just delay / postpone the event?

purplefdu

It sounds to me more like they aren't currently sick but could be carrying it. Kind of like when you have the chicken pox. Before you display the pox you still have it and could spread it, after the first couple days you're not contagious but you still have pox, then you're not contagious and have no pox. With such a large population coming from all over spreading the flu could be disastrous. But calling off the event would be a shame too. So they have come to a compromise where they can have the event and keep everyone safe as well. And most events this large don't have rain dates. Horse racing often happens in the rain, and has a set date which is scheduled every year without fail.

fotog

Whatever brings the money in, right?

Hudsons Bolt

That sounds about right. I'm quite new to horses and the environment and the entertainment that they can bring to everyone and thing around them.

I worded that wrong I know - but I think you can figure out what I mean.