KEY POINTS:
A nationwide shutdown of all horse movement yesterday has left the Australian racing industry in turmoil.
Racing club's throughout Australia closed down in a nationwide attempt to prevent further spreading of Equine Influenza (EI).
The Melbourne spring racing carnival is only a matter of weeks away as attention switches to the leading chances heading into the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups - as well as the premier weight-for-age classic - the Cox Plate.
With 10 weeks remaining before the running of a race that stops a nation, it seemed ironic yesterday that EI literally stopped all horse racing, in a country steeped in punting glory.
Racing clubs, owners, trainers and jockeys will now feel the financial pinch of Australia's "no racing" stance. Clubs will struggle to survive without punters. Trainers and jockeys will also battle to make a living without training and riding percentages.
How can Australia's leading trainers get their champion equine athletes to full racing fitness without racing opportunities?
It is hard to estimate the financial impact yesterday's "no racing" had on the Australian industry.
However a total racing ban lasting a further three weeks could potentially force a drastic reshuffle of feature race dates for the Melbourne Cup carnival. All will be revealed after the three-day ban on any horse travel ordered by the Australian Government. The ban includes donkeys and mules.
EI can be passed effortlessly and a racehorse can easily contract the virus from equipment on a horse float or in a stabling area.
Humans who have come into contact with infected horses can also spread EI, although the virus is not harmful to humans.
A lengthy ban on Australian racing could have a positive spin-off for the Hawke's Bay spring carnival.
New Zealand trainers may be tempted to lure Australian jockeys to Hastings, particularly if there is no racing in Australia.
The New Zealand breeding industry was caught with six stallions stranded in quarantine facilities in Sydney and Melbourne, but thankfully it was detected before they arrived back in New Zealand.
Stravinsky, Iffraaj, Ekraar and Storming Home are based in New Zealand for their Southern Hemisphere breeding seasons.
This quartet are locked down at Eastern Creek station - where the EI outbreak was initially detected. The other two, Jungle Pocket and Zenno Rob Roy, are in quarantine in Victoria.
Their return to New Zealand will be controlled by MAF Biosecurity, who have halted the import of all horses from Australia. That's $14 million of earnings sitting in an equine prison in Australia.
It was staggering to learn that another quarantine station, Centennial Park, is less than 5km from the 700-horse strong Randwick course.
Where is the logic of having a quarantine station so close to one of the premier training and racing facilities in Australia?
