Pre-export quarantine approved for European Melbourne Cup raiders

Racing Victoria is hell-bent on removing all barriers to industry giant Coolmore running So You Think in this year's WS Cox Plate. RV confirmed the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service has “approved the pre-export quarantine arrangements at Newmarket in the United Kingdom, thus paving the way for European horses to compete during Victoria’s 2011 Spring Racing Carnival”. RV chief executive Rob Hines noted the approval “will ensure European trainers can continue their preparations for this year’s Spring Racing Carnival safe in the knowledge that the required quarantine facilities exist”. Hines also revealed: “We are continuing our positive discussions with AQIS around pre-export quarantine facilities at Ballydyole in Ireland and remain confident of reaching a resolution that would allow Coolmore-owned horses such as So You Think to return to Australia via that facility should his owners so desire.” The first list of international contenders for the Spring Racing Carnival will be known next Tuesday (August 2) when nominations close for the Gr1 Caulfield Cup & Gr1 Cox Plate. Nominations for the Gr1 Melbourne Cup close a month later on Thursday 1 September. (Jul 29 via breedingracing.com)