The Everest runner-up Trapeze Artist and Santa Ana Lane are set to lead a return of Australian horses to the Hong Kong International meeting in December if government authorities return to a two-week quarantine period.
The quarantine period for horses to return from Hong Kong to Australia was extended last year to 180 days after concerns that horses could mix with equine populations from mainland China.
Hong Kong challeneger: Trapeze Artist races away from Redzel in the TJ Smith.
However, major race clubs and Racing Australia have been lobbying the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for a return to the previous quarantine conditions. It is understood significant progress has been made and an interim decision could be announced this month.
Trapeze Artist and Santa Ana Lane were inoculated on Sunday and would make the trip provided they could return for autumn campaigns in Australia.
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“We dont want to take Santa to Melbourne because he is not as good down the straight,” said Sam Freedman, who is foreman for his father Anthony.
“Hong Kong is a challenge we would like to take with him. It comes down to quarantine but we are preparing as if we would be going.”
Trapeze Artists owner Bert Vieira also ruled out Melbourne for his sprinter but wants to take on the world.
“If he can get back from Hong Kong, we will be going – thats the plan,” Vieira said. “I still think he is the fastest sprinter in the world, we just got beaten by a better horse in the [wet] conditions in The Everest.
“We know we would get great conditions in Hong Kong and if quarantine changes, we would come back and defend the TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes before going to Royal Ascot next year.”
DAWR modified the two-week quarantine period by 24 hours to allow European horses to run at Caulfield on Saturday after a flight delay. It is hoped they could show similar understanding for Australian horses wanting to travel to Hong Kong.
Fairfax Media understands the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Racing Australia discussed the situation at an international racing meeting in Paris last week and are confident that a change is imminent.
Race clubs like the Melbourne Racing Club and Australian Turf Club are keen to see a return of Australia horses to the showcase meeting in Hong Kong. It would in turn see the HKJC return to betting on Australian feature meetings.
Hong Kong betting on a meeting can mean a return of up to $1 million directly to race clubs.
This spring HKJC will bet only on the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup meetings, dropping the traditional dates of Epsom day in Sydney and Caulfield Cup day.
Meanwhile, Irish raider US Navy Flag will remain in Australia and head to Melbourne for the VRC Sprint on the final day of the Flemington carnival.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
