IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, questions whether Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland chairman Basil Nolan really knows where he stands on the Hendra Virus vaccination.
Butts also reports on the wedding of Brazilian jockey Wanderson d’Avila proceeding last weekend despite threats of deportation continuing from the Immigration Department.
Here is the Butts’ column:
HAS BASIL DONE A BACKFLIP ON THE HENDRA VIRUS VACCINE?
THE complex issue of the somewhat controversial Hendra Virus vaccine is back on the agenda – and subject now to a Government Inquiry which will resolve whether the vaccine should be compulsory.
There are many horse owners and trainers who are adamant it should not be – and simply refuse to have their horses vaccinated.
Some vets around the State are refusing to treat horses that have not been vaccinated – a ploy that has triggered an angry response. There is certainly a division of opinion between vets and among horse owners and carers.
Five years ago Thoroughbred Breeders’ Queensland chairman Basil Nolan hailed the breakthrough in developing a vaccine for Hendra Virus as ‘a lifesaver for horses and humans’.
“Hendra is a death sentence not only for horses but their owners,” Nolan said at the time. “The TBQA had to fight hard to get this research underway and its fantastic news for the industry.”
That as May 2011.
Then just last week, Basil Nolan, still chairman of the TBQA, slammed a symposium convened by Racing Queensland to address the Hendra Virus threat to the racing industry.
Nolan said the majority invited to the meeting were vets who are obviously in favour of compulsory vaccination.
“The meeting was stacked to give a favourable outlook on mandatory vaccine.
“I really have to question the motives of even holding a symposium when there is clearly an unbalanced list of invitees, and therefore an unbalanced view presented.”
Nolan said he was astounded to hear the vaccine should be compulsory so vets don’t have to wear personal protective equipment in hot weather.
Please!
ACCUSATION THE PROCESS IS ABOUT PROFITS RATHER THAN SAFETY
NOLAN believes the entire process is more about financial gain than workplace safety, claiming that the drug manufacturing company and the vets make a considerable profit from the administration of the vaccine.
Nolan says some vets are refusing to treat horses that aren’t vaccinated even if they aren’t showing symptoms of the virus.
“The vaccine costs are exorbitant, and because regulation states it has to be administered by a vet, you have those additional call out and treatment fees,” said Nolan.
“Thoroughbred studs both large and small will be crippled by these costs.”
Studs also stand to lose thousands of dollars in export sales, as many countries won’t import horses who have been vaccinated for Hendra Virus.
Nolan said the effect on broodmares and foals has also not been adequately researched.
He said the thoroughbred industry is a prime target because it is a regulated industry; the horses are micro-chipped and their details kept in a database.
“It’s easy to track racehorses so this can be forced upon us, while backyard horse owners, who are the ones most at risk, will escape the net,” he said.
The symposium also heard that if there is an outbreak at a racecourse the ‘lockdown’ would be a nightmare.
RACING QUEENSLAND SITTING ON FENCE CONSIDERING INFORMATION
RACING Queensland (exactly who at RQ we don’t know) is considering the information presented at the symposium before deciding if it should be compulsory for racehorses to be vaccinated.
Expect to hear more on this little hot potato.
Predictably theAustralian Veterinarian Association (AVA) supports the decision by Queensland Government to hold an inquiry into the approval and use of the Hendra vaccine.
AVA has admitted that vets prefer not to treat sick horses that have not been vaccinated.
“Some [vets] have a no vaccination-no visit policy,” AVCA spokesman, Dr Nathan Anthony, confirmed.
He wants to know the implications of Work, Health and Safety protocols for vets.
“We would like to go to work each day and know we can come home safe,” Dr Anthony said.
“A veterinarian should be able to work, without fear of being prosecuted by Work, Health and Safety violations. We hope the inquiry will address these issues.”
But horse trainers and owners have expressed their concern for their animals and the risks associated with the vaccination. Some point blank refuse to have horses vaccinated and claim it is not just the cost – which is by the way a hefty $160 per horse.
FORMER RJC CHAIRMAN DELIVERS RQ BROADSIDE OVER FLUCTUATIONS
FORMER Rockhampton Jockey Club chairman, Justin Doyle, has delivered a broadside to Racing Queensland over its cost-cutting exercise to do away with betting fluctuations at northern TAB race meetings.
I understand this has been brought about by RQ’s termination of betting stewards.
In a letter to the Wednesday Whinge on the letsgohorseracing website, Doyle wrote:
“At a time when UBET’s pari-mutuel turnover, which funds the industry, is continuing to decline, it is clear that no one with an understanding of the average punter was consulted before instigating this decision.
“Betting fluctuations are a key stimuli for pari-mutuel betting and especially so in the final minutes of betting on each race. Official fluctuation shorteners showing ‘overs’ on the totes are usually supported by many punters (small, medium and large) given the confidence boost they take on by knowing these particular runners are fancied.
“In my time as Chairman of the RJC I was always aware of the effect of on-course betting moves and the stimulus to late tote betting. We always notified punters of these betting moves in the final lead-up to the start of the race. It is a service to racing’s most important customer, the punter.
“We all know that without the punter there is no betting and therefore no UBET contract (no matter how good or bad) and eventually no funding whatsoever. If I were UBET I’d be offering RQ the money to pay the race day betting steward in order to reintroduce this service to the clubs and punting public alike.
“Along with the Tuesday race dates the deletion of the race day fluctuation service will see turnover continue to decline on these meetings where one day RQ will no doubt find racing volume in these areas unsustainable due to poor returns.
“I’ve been down that road as a Chairman during the Bentley era where we worked hard to find solutions and did so on many fronts for the RJC but I cannot see any positive outcomes for any non-South East Provincial TAB clubs in the future with a Board dominated by non-racing people.
“Be warned small decisions such as this one that slide by eventually tighten the noose that may strangle some struggling clubs north of the Sunshine Coast.”
FOOTNOTE: The Townsville Turf Club advised that it continues to finance its own fluctuation service at all TAB meetings purely as a service to on-course punters.
BRAZILIAN JOCKEY WEDS OZ TRAINER AMID DEPORTATION THREAT
THERE are not too many Saturdays without a race meeting for the participants in North Queensland but last weekend there was a gap for racing folk to gather for the wedding of Brazilian-born jockey Wanderson d’Avila to Atherton trainer Sharlene Hoffman.
It was a great day. They were married under the winning post at Tolga and celebrated at the century old Malanda Hotel, just down the road.
But there was no honeymoon for the hard working couple – and more than a few of the usual ‘butterflies’ on their big day.
On Monday the Immigration Department was due to decide the future of the couple. And they got seven days notice from their Cairns-based Immigration officer – five days notice before their wedding. Imagine!
To say Wanderson has been harassed by the Immigration Department would be an understatement. He has the support of every racing body and personality he has come in contact with in this country since his arrival 10 years ago – and has been nothing but an asset to the industry.
Tell that to Immigration.
This jockey has spent many thousands of dollars on a visa to stay in this country. But there seems to be more interest in feting the 5,000 or more free-loading refugees (and the illegal trespassers of untold numbers.)
Jockeys are in short supply all over this country. For the record d’Avila has this season, including last Friday at Townsville, ridden 81 winners, 97 seconds and 83 thirds from 597 rides. Not a bad record (38% placed) and yet they still want to throw him out.
Yes, the question is WHY?
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..