October
NovemberTest and test again
The answers to the issue of overseas horses breaking down badly in our major races are quite simple.
First, our authorities must demand all potential visitors undergo exhaustive medical scans overseas as a precautionary safeguard against the hardness of Australian tracks.
Second, our authorities need to perform the same tests as were done overseas on the horses’ immediate arrival. If the authorities’ vets agree with their overseas counterparts, all is well. If there is disagreement, a third, independent vet must be consulted.
From there, before any runs, our vets must conduct further tests.
If an overseas horse breaks down while racing in Australia under those circumstances, no person could say Australian authorities were not diligent. Any subsequent problems would have to be put down to the risks all horses face during a race.
Is it any harder than that?
On another topic, to those crying about not being able to access vision of overseas runs or insisting horses should have a run in Australia before the Melbourne Cup, I say this: “What a load of rubbish.” The really keen punters know how to find overseas runs with a bit of Google detective work.
It is not the business of Australians to tell overseas visitors how to train their horses, nor vice versa when we send a horse overseas. Let trainers train. It’s their job to know their horses’ abilities.
The real issue is that authorities on both sides of the globe must work together professionally to decrease the risk of further fatalities.
Euroa (Vic)