The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has this afternoon approved the
Werribee International Horse Centre as a quarantine facility paving the way for  international horses to enter the facility and compete during the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls will officially open the Centre and the first of two stabling compounds on Friday afternoon ahead of the arrival of the first horse, Imposing, from the UK on Saturday morning.

Imposing, which has been purchased by prominent Victorian owner Lloyd Williams, was due to arrive last Saturday before his trip was deferred owing to a delay in the approval process.

Racing Victoria Chief Executive Rob Hines paid tribute to AQIS for completing the approval process in time for Imposing to commence its journey to Melbourne overnight.

“We wish to extend our thanks to AQIS for their efforts in resolving the initial delay in a timely manner and for committing additional resources to achieve this positive outcome,” Hines said.

“The approval of the Werribee International Horse Centre as a post arrival quarantine facility paves the way for international horses to compete during the Spring Racing Carnival.
“With the connections of horses from the UK, France, Ireland, UAE, Macau, Japan, Hong
Kong and France eager to compete at this year’s carnival, it was critical that approval was granted this week.
“In the year in which the industry celebrates the 150th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup, the presence of the international horses will showcase Australia to the world.”

Following on from Imposing, the first horses from Macau to compete in Australia, Luen Yat Forever and Good Control, are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, 14 September.

The three major shipments of European and Asian horses are then scheduled to arrive on 20 and 25 September and 9 October.

Tags: Spring Racing Carnival
Permalink| Sep 2, 2010

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