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Racing Victoria has confirmed horses currently stabled at the Werribee International Horse Centre are eligible for release from quarantine on October 13.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR)’s approval is subject to all import conditions being met by the horses, including negative equine influenza tests and satisfactory final veterinary examinations.

The approval means that 24 horses that have travelled from Europe to Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival will be eligible to compete as scheduled at Caulfield on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day – the day of their release.

The announcement alleviates concerns around quarantine periods that arose across the weekend after a plane carrying 19 horses, now stabled at WIHC, from London to Melbourne was delayed in transit at Sharjah Airport (UAE) for 20 hours after suffering a cracked windscreen.

RV General Manager – International and Racing Operations, Paul Bloodworth, said: “We extend our appreciation to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for their confirmation that horses are eligible for release from our quarantine facility on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day, and thank them for their timeliness in addressing this critical issue for the Spring Racing Carnival.

“I also extend our appreciation to our transport coordinators, IRT, for their support in facilitating this pleasing outcome and thank all affected trainers and owners for their understanding and patience as we navigated what was a unique event in our 25 years of international participation in the Spring Racing Carnival.

“The Department were satisfied that the 19 horses affected by the damaged airplane windscreen whilst in transit to Melbourne on the weekend were maintained in conditions that managed the biosecurity risk during their lengthy delay in Sharjah and throughout their flight to Australia.

“Subject to the horses being cleared of equine diseases following their standard post-arrival testing, they will be permitted to compete in feature races on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day, and we will be able to welcome our final shipment of European horses on the same day without having to temporarily utilise any other quarantine facilities.”

The following 24 horses, which are housed in the Newminster and Vintage Crop Stables at WIHC, are scheduled for release from quarantine on 13 October, 2018:

• Langley (Darren Weir)

Given Monday’s scheduled arrival of the Japanese-trained horses Chestnut Coat and Sole Impact, the following eight horses, which are housed in the Americain Stables at WIHC, will remain in quarantine until 15 October 2018 as planned:

• Chestnut Coat (Yoshito Yahagi)