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The Japanese defence of the Melbourne Cup is in jeopardy as officials battle to contain an outbreak of equine influenza (EI) which has forced the cancellation of racing in Japan.
Australian officials are monitoring the situation with Delta Blues and Pop Rock, who ran one-two in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, due to enter quarantine in the next two weeks along with Tosho Knight and Victoria Derby hope Roc De Cambes.
Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, has issued a statement saying the Japanese horses should still be able to compete in Australia so long as they had not been to a stable, racetrack or other property where infected horses had been identified.
"EI is extremely disruptive to horseracing because of the restrictions it places on horse movements required to control the disease," McGauran said.
"EI is highly contagious and can spread rapidly through stables and studs. It has never been present in Australia and poses no human health risks. Australia will not take any risks with horses being imported from countries where EI is present."
McGauran said the Government had spent A$616 million ($705 million) over the past three years to strengthen quarantine protection.
After originally planning to let racing go ahead at the weekend, the Japanese Racing Association (JRA) was forced to reverse the decision when more cases of the virus were found.
The JRA has banned horse movement around the country to try to contain the virus.
Meetings scheduled at Kanazawa yesterday and today were also cancelled after three horses in the area returned a positive reaction during screening of intended runners.
The JRA said all horses registered with the association were vaccinated and that there was no danger to humans or other animals.
In 1971, about 1800 horses were infected with influenza, forcing racecourses to shut down for two months.
Pop Rock is currently the $10 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6 while Delta Blues is at $15 and Tosho Knight $17.
-AAP
