NSW: Cummings hopeful of negative test

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2007
NSW: Cummings hopeful of negative test

Racing NSW chief executive officer Peter V'Landys told ABC Radio the positive sample
results have been sent to a Geelong laboratory with results expected by 10.30am or 11am
(AEST).

"We've also sent samples to Victoria to confirm if it is positive or not. The horse
has improved this morning and hasn't got the elevated temperatures but saying that, unfortunately,
sometimes the symptoms take a little bit longer to take hold," he said.

"But the first indication in the first sample was it was positive to equine influenza,
if they come back and confirm that, it'll be devastating for the NSW racing industry."

V'Landys said the latest outbreak was transferred in an innocent mistake by a track
rider who rode at both Randwick and the Centennial Park stables.

"Late last week he was probably totally oblivious to the fact that there was an influenza,"

V'Landys said.

"He rode at Centennial Park then went to Randwick for his normal duties not knowing
he may have been carrying the influenza on his clothes or on his gear on his boots or
on his skin, that's how contagious it is."

AAP ig/jlw/

KEYWORD: STALLIONS RANDWICK 2 LEAD 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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