Vaal race meeting to go ahead

2003-12-17 12:06

Johannesburg - The race meeting at the Vaal on Thursday will go ahead as scheduled, despite the apparent presence of equine flu at the Randjesfontein training centre.

The Communications Manager for Phumelela Racing, Robert Garner, said the meeting at Turffontein on Sunday would also go ahead, but no Randjesfontein horses would take part.

"Racing on the Highveld will go ahead on a limited basis," said Garner. "Some horses at the Randjesfontein Centre have shown symptoms of equine flu. It's not clear at this stage whether they actually have contracted the virus, or whether they are reacting to the vaccine. However,Randjesfontein has been quarantined until further notice."

Garner said Kimberley and Bloemfontein were all clear and racing would continue as normal in these areas.

In Port Elizabeth, the virus had spread from the Arlington training centre to Fairview and racing in the Eastern Cape has been cancelled until further notice.

The virus was first diagnosed at Milnerton in Cape Town about a week ago. Racing in the Western Cape has been suspended and major race meetings in the area may have to be re-scheduled.

In KwaZulu-Natal, racing will continue as normal, but the movement of horses between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape has been suspended.

- SAPA