Birdsville races can't be saved, Qld races off

The iconic Birdsville Races will not go ahead this weekend with authorities announcing that all Queensland racing events this weekend have been cancelled.

Queensland's iconic Birdsville Races would not go ahead this weekend because of the equine influenza crisis, the State Government said today.

It's believed to be the first time in their 125-year history that the races, held in the outback town of Birsdville, have been cancelled.

"We've been trying everything we can to be able to have racing proceed at Birdsville this weekend, but unfortunately the risk has been assessed, based on the best advice from the veterinary surgeons ... (as) unacceptable," Queensland Racing Minister Andrew Fraser said.

"We need to make this decision, which is disappointing for everyone, because to take the risk and to risk an outbreak of the equine flu transferring across the thoroughbred racing industry would be devastating.

"So that means racing won't be occurring anywhere around Queensland, including Birdsville, this weekend."

Queensland Racing Limited chairman Bob Bentley told AAP it was too early to say when racing would resume in the state.

"There will be no racing in Queensland for the foreseeable future and it's highly doubtful we could race before next Wednesday at the earliest," Mr Bentley said.

"We had a horse pulled up by police at Moranbah (in Central Queensland) which is west of Mackay and it had gone through Rockhampton.

"As soon as it's possible we'll put on race meetings but there'll be an announcement about that at some time later today."

It's understood the horse at Moranbah was immediately impounded by police as it was suspected to have come from Morgan Park at Warwick in south-east Queensland.

Morgan Park hosted the World Equestrian trials last weekend before they were called off after a number of horses there had confirmed cases of EI.

"The latest information I have about the Warwick horses is that they are all recovering," Bentley said. "I don't have the exact figure but I understand 11 horses have tested positive."

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will travel to Warwick today to talk with 100 owners and helpers who have stayed behind to care for up to 300 horses.

On the Sunshine Coast, the racing ban imposed on Corbould Park last Sunday cost about $300,000.

There are fears horse trainers could start shedding staff if the virus continues to paralyse the industry.

Sunshine Coast Turf Club chief executive Mick Sullivan said the statewide racing ban would have far-reaching implications.

“Normally the prizemoney would have been $90,000-odd (at Corbould Park last Sunday), our on-course turnover would have been around $200,000 and for casual wages I would say it would be around $20,000 lost. And that’s not including jockeys, stable hands and others. That’s only Sunshine Coast Turf Club staff,” Mr Sullivan said.

“That’s only just one day too, so if (the ban) continues there will obviously be a lot of employment opportunities lost.

“Trainers will have no choice but to reduce their staff.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that.”

Mr Sullivan said last night that trainers hoped to be able to do trackwork today.

This Mr Sullivan told ABC radio that he hoped trackwork could resume this afternoon or tomorrow, but it will only extend to horses that can be walked to Corbould Park.

A ban will remain on vehicle movements to the course, he said.

While there has been criticism of state authorities, including the Department of Primary Industries, for their response to the crisis, Mr Sullivan said he believed authorities were doing 'an incredible job'.

He said horse flu was a highly contagious disease and was often spread by humans who had come in contact with infected horses.

The last time a race day at Corbould Park was scrapped was a weather-related cancellation in February 2002.

Queensland authorities yesterday extended the racing ban after one of the horses that was allowed to leave an event at Warwick last weekend tested positive to equine influenza.

NSW has been hardest hit by the highly infectious disease. Authorities there called off all race meetings after more than 400 horses on 53 properties began showing signs.

Many have tipped the indefinite NSW ban to last longer than a month. A packed horse program of 228 ring events for this weekend’s Beerwah Spring Carnival is also in jeopardy.

Originally published as Birdsville races can't be saved, Qld races off