Restrictions on horse movements between Australia and Hong Kong threaten Australian involvement in international events in the Asian racing capital.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has expressed its disappointment at the decision by the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to suspend equine movement pending a review of biosecurity protocols related to the Equine Disease Free Zone between Hong Kong and Conghua on the Chinese mainland.
The HKJC is scheduled to open the Conghua Training Centre in the third quarter of 2018.
The club said the implications included Hong Kong horses transported to Australia via New Zealand will require 180 days’ residency in New Zealand.
The DAWR has informed the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department it intends to suspend horse movements to Australia from October 2.