By MIKE DILLON
Has Sunline really joined the Aussie icons of Phar Lap, Banjo Paterson and Don Bradman?
It appeared so yesterday after Australian Government and animal health officials decided to allow Sunline back into Australia after racing in the $US2 million Dubai Duty Free on Sunday week, despite 10 cases of foot and mouth disease being discovered in Dubai.
On Tuesday Australia imposed a total ban on all animal imports from Europe and any country where foot and mouth disease has been detected.
Yesterday morning Dr Patricia Ellis, the principal veterinarian for the Australian Horse Industry Council in Melbourne, said current regulations would require Sunline to spend a lengthy quarantine period in the United States before being allowed back into Australia.
Hours later Dr Ellis declared she was one of Sunline's greatest fans as she sucessfully argued the case with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to allow the champion New Zealand mare back into Australia direct from Dubai.
"I hope you New Zealanders don't mind but I declared her an Australasian champion and I'll be riding her all the way down the home straight next weekend," said Dr Ellis, who has attended the last three Dubai World Cups.
"I also argued this case on the basis of good science."
Dr Ellis worked in the Emirates for several years and knows Dubai's equine quarantine station well, having done a survey on it for African horse sickness.
"It operates under very stringent conditions and Sunline will be kept under very strict quarantine regulations with absolutely no contact with clover-footed animals like camels or cows."
Unlike those animals, horses cannot contract foot and mouth.
"Provided everyone does their job there is no danger to Australia's farming industry.
"I can understand the panic of the farming sector, but good laws of science have to apply."
The decision is enormous news for the connections of Sunline who arrived in Dubai on Monday.
When Dr Ellis made her original statement co-trainer Stephen McKee said they would look at pulling Sunline out without racing, as she had not left quarantine.
There is one other horse from this part of the world at the Dubai World Cup meeting, Australian sprinter Bomber Bill.
"Oh, and we'll be letting him back in too," said Dr Ellis.
Racing: Return clear for champ
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