Racehorse shipment stalled in Middle East

AUSTRALIAN government officials will consider a report into the circumstances that stranded 19 overseas spring carnival riders in Sharjah before deciding if the horses can leave quarantine a day early.

A shipment was stalled in the Middle East because of a cracked plane windscreen, stretching the trip to 60 hours from door-to-door.

The 14-hour delay in Sharjah meant the horses didn’t reach the Werribee quarantine centre until 8am yesterday to start their mandatory 14-day stint in quarantine.

Racing Victoria hopes the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service will look favourably on allowing the visitors to run at Caulfield on October 13 in the Herbert Power Stakes or Caulfield Stakes. Horse carrier IRT will submit the report to AQIS with details of biosecurity measures.

Vet Dr Des Leadon, who travelled with the horses, said they showed few ill effects from the arduous trip.

“Other than some slight weight loss, which is often the result of long distance journeys, and some understandable fatigue, the horses were all in sound condition when they were inspected by vets upon arrival in Melbourne,” he said.

“They will continue to be monitored, but at this stage there are no health issues to report. They were looked after every step of the way by a highly experienced and professional team of grooms, so were in very safe hands.

“The air quality and hygiene levels on the plane were kept to an excellent standard throughout their journey.”

The shipment contained several Caulfield and Melbourne Cup hopefuls, including Withhold, Cliffs Of Moher, Yucatan and Count Octave.

There are now 22 horses at Werribee. Japanese stars Chestnut Coat and Sole Impact are due to land today.

A final batch of eight horses is scheduled for October 13, boosting the number at Werribee to 32, its maximum capacity.