Phumelela International and TellyTrack have reorganised the betting schedule and TV broadcast for today after the news from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that racing will not resume in the UK until Wednesday at the earliest, with a decision to be taken on Monday.
Local racing is at Fairview while the coverage at Gloucester (Australia), Mauquenchy and Cagnes-Sur-Mer (France) and Aqueduct in the USA has been amended to replace the four UK meetings that have been abandoned.
There is also the usual coverage of the meetings at Kranji in Singapore and Jebel Ali in Dubai.
All the information pertaining to the weekend’s changes in coverage to both betting and what will be shown on TellyTrack will be available on www.tabonline.co.za.
An outbreak of equine flu forced the cancellation of all meetings on Thursday after the Animal Health Trust confirmed three positive tests from vaccinated horses at Donald McCain’s yard.
In a statement issued shortly after 6pm on Thursday the BHA said: “The BHA’s veterinary team has today been in contact with more than 50 trainers and veterinarians to allow it to make an informed assessment of the risk of equine influenza spreading. While no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing.
“The disease can take up to three days before symptoms are visible, meaning it will take until Sunday at the earliest before the BHA can gather all the information required. This approach will allow samples to be collected and assessed by the Animal Health Trust in order that a fully informed decision can be made on Monday. This may then allow declarations to take place on Tuesday in time for racing on Wednesday, with 24-hour declarations for all fixtures on this day, should racing be able to resume. Declarations for Thursday would revert to the usual procedures.
“This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly. We appreciate the impact that this may have on the sport commercially, but disease control in order to mitigate the risk of further disruption to the sport – and safeguard the health and welfare of our horses – must be a priority.
“A plan will be constructed for the rescheduling of key races – and those which may provide important opportunities for horses to run – which are lost during this period.”
- Press release by Phumelela Gaming & Leisure issued on 7 February
